McKenzie plans to sue podcasters over disparaging comments about coloured community

JOHANNESBURG - Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie plans to sue podcasters who made disparaging comments about the coloured community in an episode posted on their social media.  

McKenzie has instructed legal minds within the party to submit a report to him by Wednesday evening on the steps that can be pursued.  

While the Open Chats podcast team has since apologised for the remarks and removed the discussion from the episode, McKenzie said this is not enough.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said it’s already reported the podcast to the South African Human Rights Commission.

In a video message to party supporters before attending Wednesday's Cabinet meeting, the PA's McKenzie said the remarks made against the coloured community can't be allowed to go unchallenged. 

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The podcasters referred to the coloured community as crazy and alleged that incest is common.  

"I want us to use everything at our disposal. It's racism. We must never allow people to become that comfortable. If we had to say that about other races, it would have been on every front page." 

In an apology, the Open Chats team said the coloured community is a big part of its audience and it never intended to cause harm nor disrespect.  

It said the podcast is known for touching on sensitive topics, but that it does not support or promote racism or discrimination.  

But McKenzie's forging ahead: "We are going to go after them in their personal capacity, legally. We are going to go after that show."  

He said he will inform PA members of the possible course of legal action to be taken.