ActionSA has reported Minister Gayton McKenzie to the South African Human Rights Commission, over alleged racist remarks that included apartheid slurs and other demeaning references aimed at black South Africans. 

This development follows the reappearance of the Minister’s past social media posts, some dating back to 2013, in which the K-word was used to refer to black individuals.

The party said it may also escalate the matter to the Equality Court under Section 20 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act if necessary.

In a statement issued on Saturday, ActionSA’s member of parliament Alan Beesley, said the party has reservations about the effectiveness of the SAHRC.

“It remains the constitutionally empowered institution mandated to address such matters.” 

“Accordingly, we will follow the prescribed process, but we are fully prepared to independently institute proceedings at the Equality Court in terms of Section 20 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act.”

ActionSA stated that the action follows what was described as earlier condemnation of remarks directed toward the coloured community. 

“Earlier this week, ActionSA joined South Africans in condemning vile and repugnant remarks directed toward the coloured community. Today, we do the same in confronting racism in all its forms by holding a sitting Cabinet Minister accountable for comments that no reasonable person can defend as anything other than racist and demeaning,” Beesley said.

Mr President @CyrilRamaphosa, you appointed a Minister who has publicly uttered deeply offensive and despicable words against Black people.

Is this really the vision of unity and inclusivity that the GNU stands for? We demand action NOW! pic.twitter.com/jOkjq8Sjbl

— Vuyo Zungula MP 🇿🇦 (@ZungulaVuyo) August 8, 2025

The party also referenced a separate complaint it has lodged against Minister Dean Macpherson, pointing to what it described as his “deeply offensive and racially charged attacks on ActionSA supporters, referring to them as ‘amaphara’ and ‘hobos.’”

“As a party, we stand by non-racialism as a founding and defining value of ActionSA, anchoring our belief that we must fight to protect the dignity of every South African and ensure that all, especially those serving as Cabinet Ministers, uphold the very essence of our constitutional dispensation, for which many sacrificed their lives,” said Beesley.

thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za

IOL Politics

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