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The Podcast & Chill host's remarks are 'unchecked freedom of speech'.
Podcast & Chill host Macgyver “MacG” Mukwevho. Picture: Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu
Parliament has declined to summon podcast host MacGyver “MacG” Mukwevho to explain his controversial comments about media personality Minnie Dlamini.
Mukwevho has faced backlash for remarks made on his widely followed platform, Podcast & Chill, regarding Dlamini’s relationship break-up.
He made an inappropriate insinuation about her genital odour.
Government slams MacG over Minnie Dlamini remarks
The incident prompted Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka “Steve” Letsike, to call on Parliament to summon Mukwevho.
Letsike strongly condemned the remarks, describing them as misogynistic and vulgar.
She further argued that the podcast host’s repeated use of “derogatory language” towards women was not only offensive, but constituted online gender-based violence (GBV).
The deputy minister urged MultiChoice, which airs Podcast & Chill through a partnership, to take action against Mukwevho.
ALSO READ: Parliament to summon MacG after comments about Minnie Dlamini
She also indicated plans to refer the matter to the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), the South African Human Rights Commission, and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) for investigation.
In addition, Letsike’s department is considering filing a case of crimen injuria against Mukwevho with the South African Police Service (Saps).
The controversy has reignited public debate on whether podcasts should be subject to regulation.
Minister wants MacG summoned by Parliament
In her presentation to Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Letsike defended her call to action, stating that Mukwevho’s remarks reflected “unchecked freedom of speech”.
The deputy minister contended that his “vile” and “disgusting” utterances violated Dlamini’s constitutional rights and undermined her dignity.
She said the podcast host should be compelled to withdraw his statements.
“I will also refer this matter to the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies and its department thereof to ramp up efforts towards regulation of online media platforms such as podcasts to ensure that the messaging on these platforms adhere to the constitution and other pieces of legislation that govern what is acceptable speech is our society as empowered by the right to freedom of expression,” Letsike said.
READ MORE: Minnie Dlamini breaks silence following controversial MacG comments
Letsike emphasised that Mukwevho’s comments were “soft violence” and contributed to the objectification of women’s bodies, promoting sexism.
“We raise these issues sharply because Mr Mukwevho weighs considerable influence in South Africa’s social discourse with a following of at least 1.5 million viewers subscribed to his YouTube channel.”
She also stressed that the issue was not about cancel culture and revealed that Dlamini was consulting her legal counsel.
“She will inform us on her action if they do open a case.”
Watch the meeting below:
MPs deliberate
Later, Members of Parliament (MPs) expressed their views on the request to summon Mukwevho.
ANC MP Meagan Chauke-Adonis warned against politicising the issue, but stressed the importance of addressing it.
“Must there be physical bodily harm before this portfolio committee then responds and acts?
“This is something where once again we perpetuate a culture of cyberbullying, which we have been very silent on,” Chauke-Adonis said.
ANC MP Maakgalake Pholwane supported the committee’s involvement, while DA MP Angel Khanyile warned that summoning the podcast host would be an overreach.
“When I look at this case I do believe that Saps has a role to play.
“I do believe that there’s a good chance of opening a case of crimen injuria and a civil claim as well, which I also believe may bring that apology,” Khanyile said.
READ MORE: MacG’s commenting goes beyond the bounds of free speech
ActionSA MP Kgosi Letlape supported seeking a legal opinion on whether the committee could lay a criminal charge, a motion backed by Patriotic Alliance (PA) MP Jasmine Petersen.
“I feel this is a crime against all women and it should be tried in a court of law,” Letlape said.
EFF MP Sihle Lonzi was critical of the deputy minister, accusing her of “grandstanding”, “populism” and “selective activism”.
While acknowledging that Mukwevho’s comments were “distasteful”, he questioned the mechanisms being used.
Lonzi highlighted that institutions like the CGE, which falls under Letsike’s department, are mandated to handle such matters.
“Have they failed to deliver on their mandates?” the EFF MP asked.
Committee won’t call MacG over Minnie Dlamini remarks
Ultimately, the committee resolved not to summon Mukwevho.
“I think the majority of members are not in favour of us proceeding as the honorable minister, deputy minister had requested us to do,” the committee’s chairperson Liezl van der Merwe said.
She pointed out that Dlamini had not approached Parliament nor laid a criminal case.
“I think all of you have touched on this point that if we do decide it is our mandate to proceed with hearing one case of cyber-bullying, it would mean that this portfolio committee would have to extend that to every other person because they cannot be selective in choosing one case.”
Van der Merwe said the committee had limited capacity to handle such matters.
“There are other instruments that we can utilise,” she said, adding that a legal opinion would be sought.
“We will support your complaints, honourable deputy minister, to the BCCSA. We will also encourage you to finalise your discussions with Ms Dlamini and to encourage her to open a case with Saps and to follow due processes.
“We also will support the approach and the intervention to lay this matter or to send this matter as a complaint to the Commission for Gender Equality and we think that is the right approach,” Van der Merwe concluded.
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