More legal challenges for Ngizwe over homophobic rant
FORMER radio personality, Ngizwe Mchunu, has been taken to the South African Human Rights Commission for homophobia, hate crime, and incitement of violence following his recent social media rant against homosexual people. His rant was sparked by a recent traditional wedding of a gay couple that was dressed in Zulu traditional attire.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
FORMER radio and TV personality Ngizwe Mchunu faces growing legal trouble as more individuals and organisations file complaints against him for alleged hate speech and homophobia.
Mchunu this week posted a now-deleted Facebook video in which he went on a profanity-laden rant against the LGBTQIA+ community. His comments were sparked by the wedding photos of gay couple Simon Nhlapo and Crosby Jodwana, who recently wed wearing imvunulo (traditional Zulu attire).
In the same video, Mchunu attacked former Idols SA judge and openly gay choreographer Somizi Mhlongo, accusing him and “his nation” of being a bad influence and calling on them to leave South Africa, claiming they were corrupting Zulu traditions.
Human rights activist Xolani Makhubu has lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), while advocacy group Uthingo Network has also laid a complaint with the Equality Court.
A petition is circulating online calling for Mchunu to be banned from TikTok and Facebook, where he commands a large following.
After deleting the video, Mchunu doubled down and released a new one where he called homosexual people dogs and other unprintables. He urged the Zulu Royal House and the Nazareth Baptist Church (Shembe) to intervene.
He said he intends approaching King Misuzulu kaZwelithini to discuss the matter. In the video, Mchunu said homosexuals are favoured and misled by government that keeps granting them rights. Mchunu is not new to controversy, as after the July 2021 unrest he was charged for the incitement of violence and violation of Disaster Management Act. He was acquitted on all five charges.