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gayton mckenzie

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Silas

Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture and leader of the Patriotic Alliance, is in the news for taking legal action against the hosts of the Open Chats Podcast after a viral clip surfaced that contained derogatory and racist remarks about the coloured community in South Africa[1][8]. Calling the comments blatant racism, McKenzie confirmed on social media that his party’s legal team had been instructed to swiftly proceed against the podcasters for hate speech and crimen injuria, with legal charges being refocused at a Johannesburg police station[3][6].

Initially, McKenzie mistakenly accused the SABC of hosting the podcast and threatened legal steps against them before later issuing a formal apology, stating that the broadcaster had no connection with the content or its distribution[3][6]. He also discussed his conversation with MultiChoice, clarifying that efforts would focus solely on the podcast hosts and reiterating his zero-tolerance stance on racism by any group in South Africa.

The legal steps are being taken under the Prevention of Combating of Hate Crime and Hate Speech Act 2023, charging the podcasters with both hate speech and offences that undermine the dignity of coloured South Africans[3]. McKenzie’s response has sparked significant public conversation, attracting support and criticism, especially around the ongoing issues of racism and freedom of speech in the country[1][5].

Recent reports and public appearances by McKenzie continue to fuel discussion, with some news also focusing on his policy decisions as Minister—for example, his controversial shift of sports funding away from grassroots development towards larger events, a move criticized by opposition parties for threatening the future of South African sport[2].

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