Steenhuisen calls for action against Gayton McKenzie following allegations of racism against him

JOHANNESBURG- Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen is calling for action against Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie following allegations of racism against him.

During the past weekend, old posts from McKenzie’s X account resurfaced, showing him using racial slurs directed at Black people.

Although McKenzie has apologised for some of the posts, Steenhuisen said his past remarks are unbecoming of someone who claims to serve the public.

ALSO READ: McKenzie says he won't quit his job over false racism claims

Steenhuisen said there should be consistency in addressing Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie’s past use of racial slurs, seemingly drawing a comparison to how the party dealt with its former MP Renaldo Gouws.

He was removed from parliament and expelled from the DA after old “racist” social media posts resurfaced.

Steenhuisen insists McKenzie should not be exempt from accountability and that South Africans must demand action against him.

"There does need to be consistency with how we handle these things in South Africa. You shouldn’t be able to get away with something because you happen to be a minister, but an ordinary MP says something similar and they’re dealt with accordingly."

While McKenzie has apologised, he maintains that some of the circulating screenshots are AI-generated and do not reflect his views.