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Media Statement: South African Human Rights Commission statement on alleged harassment and hate speech utterances by Mr Ngizwe Mchunu

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 02 October 2025  

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) is aware of the alleged homophobic and offensive utterances on social media platforms made recently by Mr Ngizwe Mchunu against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQI+) community.

The Commission confirms that it has received complaints from aggrieved members of the public and civil society organisations regarding these alleged offensive remarks. The Commission is registering the complaints and will assess them in line with the Commission’s Complaints Handling Procedure.

The Commission will communicate the outcome of the assessment of the complaints in due course.

The Commission wishes to remind members of the public that the rights to freedom of expression and cultural belief are not absolute. The Constitution and the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair of Act of 2000 prohibit utterances that are intended to be harmful or propagate hatred on any of the listed grounds.

The Commission calls on everyone in the country to uphold the principles enshrined in the Constitution, including human dignity, equality, and non-discrimination.  

ENDS

ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

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The Human Rights Commission is the national institution established to support constitutional democracy. It is committed to promote respect for, observance of and protection of human rights for everyone without fear or favour.

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