JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG — Prominent media figure Ngizwenkosi “Ngizwe” Mchunu has been handed a R250,000 fine for hate speech following a decisive ruling by the Equality Court Johannesburg. The court found the controversial personality guilty of harassment and unfair discrimination, mandating both a substantial financial penalty and mandatory sensitivity training.
The legal battle stems from Mchunu’s viral backlash against a same-sex traditional marriage ceremony. The controversy ignited after he publicly criticized the event, specifically targeting one of the grooms who was dressed in full Zulu regalia, including an *invono*.
The South African Human Rights Commission, acting as the complainant in the virtual proceedings, celebrated the judgment. A spokesperson for the commission detailed the sweeping nature of the ruling, which encompasses roughly eight distinct directives.
Highlighting six of the primary mandates, the Human Rights Commission spokesperson stated that Mchunu is required to scrub all related videos and publications from his platforms. Furthermore, he must issue a formal apology, which must remain prominently displayed on his Facebook page for a full three months. Additionally, he is compelled to complete 20 hours of sensitivity training facilitated by the commission, cover all legal costs, and pay the R250,000 penalty directly to a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for gay and lesbian rights.
Despite the heavy penalties, Mchunu maintained a respectful tone toward the judiciary while signaling his intent to fight the verdict.
“I respect the court decision,” Mchunu stated, confirming his next legal steps. “I’m still engaged with my lawyers so that we will see how we can challenge the decision of the court.”
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) viewed the judgment as a critical teaching moment for South Africa regarding hate crimes and gender diversity.
“We believe as a commission [this] is an educative moment in so far as the issues of hate crime [are] concerning the country,” a CGE spokesperson remarked. The spokesperson also referenced a proposed bill seeking to address hate crimes, stressing the importance of public education regarding non-binary identities and individuals who reject traditional honorifics like Mr. and Mrs.
“As a Commission for Gender Equality, we feel that as society, as educators, [and] Chapter 9 institutions, we need to educate people for them to realize that it’s not two genders that they are accustomed to; we have got various genders in our country,” the CGE spokesperson added.
This recent legal defeat adds to Mchunu’s history of courtroom disputes. He was previously locked in a fierce public and legal feud with Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema. The earlier conflict erupted over viral allegations where Mchunu accused Malema of harboring undocumented migrants and collecting millions in rent from international drug syndicates. That saga also concluded with a court-mandated apology from Mchunu.