SAHRC Pursues Open Chats Probe After Racial Slur Uproar

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is pressing ahead with an investigation into the Open Chats Podcast after its hosts made inflammatory remarks about the Coloured community.

In a since-deleted episode which aired in late July, hosts Mthokozisi Methula and Busisiwe Radebe claimed that Coloured people practised incest and referred to the racial group as “crazy,” prompting outrage from political parties, civil society and the public.

The pair later issued an apology through their lawyers, insisting that the show does not promote discrimination.

On Friday, 8 August, the SAHRC confirmed that its Gauteng office has launched a probe and may escalate the matter to the Equality Court. “Hate speech is prohibited… Podcasts are not exempted from these limitations,” the Commission said.

Political leaders have also weighed in on the matter. Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie described the remarks as racist and pledged legal action. The Patriotic Alliance, DA, ANC and EFF have all condemned the episode and the hosts’ commentary.

Broadcaster MultiChoice has since confirmed it has cut ties with Open Chats, ending its DStv contract on 25 July. The company emphasised that the controversial episode never aired on its platform and reiterated its stance against discriminatory content.

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