Political Parties Condemn Podcast for Anti-Coloured Statements, SA Discusses

• The Democratic Alliance and the Patriotic Alliance have taken action against the Open Chats Podcast
• This was after the podcast went viral for its racist comments against coloured people
• The podcast issued a public apology, and South Africans condemned their words and actions

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, cabinet reshuffles, the State of the Nation Address, Parliamentary Proceedings, and politician-related news, as well as elections, at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years.

JOHANNESBURG — The Democratic Alliance (DA) and Patriotic Alliance (PA) have opened cases against the Open Chats Podcast on 6 August 2025 after a clip of the hosts' racist comments against coloureds went viral.

PA member Liam Jacobs, who recently joined the party after leaving the DA, went to the Brooklyn Police Station in Hatfield, Tshwane, to open a criminal case against the podcast. He said he has been given the authority to open a case against them. In the video, he enters the station and opens a case.

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View the X video here:

In another video, he slams the podcasters. He said the country must make a point and not just talk about it.

"We must actually do something," he said.

Gayton McKenzie announces legal action

In a video Thabelo posted on his @thabelomaanda X account, PA president Gayton McKenzie called on all the lawyers in the party to compile a report on the action that they will take against the statements. He said people must not be allowed to be comfortable enough to speak derogatory statements against coloureds.

View the X video here:

Democratic Alliance announces action

The Democratic Alliance, which formed a Government of National Unity with the African National Congress, announced that it had laid a complaint against the Podcast with the South African Human Rights Commission. The party condemned the statements and said it was appalled by the race-baiting content.

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"This is not humorous. It is not harmless pop culture commentary. It's an assault on the dignity of a community and an attempt to reduce the lived realities of South Africans into cheap, demeaning stereotypes for the sake of online clicks," the party said.

Open Chats Podcast apologises

The podcasts' lawyers wrote an apology on behalf of their clients, which Baba Boss posted on his @BabaBoss_12X x account. In the apology, the lawyers said that the statements were unfortunate, reckless and unAfrican. The podcasters admitted that their statements violated Section 9 of the Constitution of South Africa. Consequently, the clip has been removed.

Read the X statement here:

Netizens condemn the incident

Netizens commenting on X slammed the podcasters.

Somila said:

"This is utter nonsense. Again, there needs to be a way to regulate these podcasts."

Tshepo Lucas said:

"They should be made to learn the hard way because lately it seems anyone can say anything about a person and people and it goes unpunished."

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Theo King said:

"That video is racist, dehumanising and dangerous."

MrsNeavy said:

"Disgusting and racist! Not to mention ignorant and uneducated."

Naledi said:

"I need them sued and banned from ever hosting a podcast."

Patriotic Alliance replaces Kenny Kunene with Liam Jacobs

In a related article, Briefly News reported that McKenzie replaced Kenny Kunene with Liam Jacobs. Jacobs has been appointed a councilor in the City of Johannesburg.

Jacobs' appointment came after Kunene was suspended pending an investigation into his alleged connection with murder accused Katiso Molefe. He also stepped down as the party's deputy president.

Gayton McKenzie faces resignation calls

Meanwhile Briefly News reported that Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie is facing mounting calls to step down after decade-old social media posts allegedly containing derogatory remarks about black people resurfaced.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to act, while ActionSA has lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). In a statement, ActionSA spokesperson Matthew George said the party believed a sitting Cabinet minister should be held accountable for language that it considers “racist and demeaning.”

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He noted that earlier this week the party had condemned offensive remarks directed at the coloured community, and it was now taking a similar stance on the resurfaced posts. ActionSA has also taken issue with Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson, accusing him of making “deeply offensive and racially charged” comments about ActionSA supporters, referring to them as “amapara” and “hobos.”

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News