JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG — The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is taking media personality Ngizwe Mchunu to the Johannesburg High Court over allegations of LGBTQ+ hate speech and incitement. The legal action stems from a series of controversial remarks made by Mchunu regarding same-sex couples, sparking a national debate on the balance between freedom of expression and the protection of human rights in South Africa.
The case primarily centers on a Facebook post published by Mchunu, in which he criticized a same-sex couple for wearing traditional attire, specifically the isicholo or imvunulo, during their wedding. Mchunu argued in his post that traditional cultural attire is strictly reserved for heterosexual couples. The comments quickly gained traction and sparked widespread outrage in KwaZulu-Natal, prompting a formal complaint to the human rights commission.
Following the complaint, the SAHRC ordered Mchunu to issue a public apology. However, after he failed to comply with the directive, the commission escalated the matter to the high court to seek legal accountability.
In addition to the social media posts, Mchunu is facing allegations of incitement related to a physical gathering. He reportedly mobilized hostel dwellers from the hostel establishments to protest against same-sex couples. During this mobilization, he allegedly stated that same-sex marriages have no place in traditional settings, arguing that such cultural spaces should exclusively cater to heterosexual men.
Despite the mounting legal pressure, Mchunu has remained defiant regarding the allegations. Speaking ahead of the court proceedings, the media personality stated that he is not someone who will apologize for the matter. He confirmed his readiness to face the legal process, noting that he has issues to address both in and out of court, and is fully prepared to engage directly with the SAHRC during the hearings.
The high court proceedings will now determine whether Mchunu’s remarks cross the legal threshold from protected freedom of expression into actionable hate speech and unfair discrimination.
