By Mmangaliso Khumalo.
ActionSA has lodged a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) against Minister Gayton McKenzie, accusing him of making racist remarks on social media that included hateful slurs from the Apartheid era and offensive language aimed at degrading black South Africans.
The political party’s statement condemned the use of language that dehumanises individuals based on race, emphasizing that such conduct is unacceptable in South Africa’s democratic society.
While ActionSA expressed reservations about the effectiveness of the SAHRC, it stressed the importance of following the constitutionally mandated process.
The party also signaled its readiness to pursue independent legal action through the Equality Court under Section 20 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, if necessary.
Earlier this week, ActionSA publicly condemned racist attacks directed at the Coloured community.
The party reiterated its commitment to combating racism in all forms by holding accountable those in positions of power, including cabinet ministers.
In addition to the complaint against Minister McKenzie, ActionSA has also filed a grievance against Minister Dean Macpherson over his racially charged remarks targeting ActionSA supporters, whom he reportedly called “amaphara” and “hobos.”
ActionSA underscored that non-racialism remains a core value of the party and highlighted the need to protect the dignity of all South Africans.
The party called on government officials to uphold the principles of the country’s constitutional dispensation, for which many have sacrificed their lives.
Meanwhile the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are calling for the immediate removal of McKenzie as minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, saying double standard strips him of any moral or ethical standing to lead on issues of non-racialism and social cohesion.