Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader and South African Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has announced plans to sue the hosts of the Open Chats Podcast following offensive remarks made about the Coloured community. In a viral clip from a recent episode, the podcast hosts made racist comments, alleging that Coloured families engage in incest and suffer from mental health issues, sparking widespread outrage.
McKenzie, reacting to the clip, condemned the remarks as "racism" and instructed the PA’s legal team to draft a plan of action by Wednesday evening, 6 August 2025, outlining steps to pursue legal recourse. "I want us to use everything at our disposal," McKenzie stated, emphasizing that such comments cannot be tolerated. He noted that if similar remarks were made by Coloured individuals about other racial groups, they would likely dominate headlines.
The Open Chats Podcast issued a public apology on social media, stating, "The intention was never to cause harm or disrespect the Coloured community," and acknowledging that their platform, which often discusses sensitive topics, must do so respectfully. The offending clip has been removed from the episode, but McKenzie dismissed the apology as insufficient, vowing to pursue legal action against the hosts in their personal capacities and target the show itself. In a video message to PA supporters before attending a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, he reiterated that the remarks must not go unchallenged.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has also responded, confirming it has reported the podcast to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) for investigation. Additionally, the Cape Forum, a civil society organization, condemned the comments as "vile and degrading" and plans to request an urgent SAHRC probe.
McKenzie, known for his outspoken stance on issues affecting the Coloured community, promised to update PA members on the legal steps to be taken. The controversy has reignited discussions about racial sensitivity and accountability in South African media.
