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Deputy Minister Slams MacG’s Vulgar Remarks About Minnie Dlamini as Online Gender-Based Violence

Published

4 months ago

May 2, 2025

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Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, has strongly condemned podcast host Macgyver “MacG” Mukwevho over what she described as “vomitous utterances” aimed at actress and media personality Minnie Dlamini.

During a recent episode of Podcast and Chill, MacG made a derogatory comment speculating on the cause of Dlamini’s past romantic breakups, crudely suggesting, “maybe her coochie smells or something.” This remark has sparked outrage online and in government circles.

Letsike denounced the comment as “nauseating in its vulgarity” and a violation of Dlamini’s fundamental rights to dignity, freedom, security, and equality. “This is not a harmless joke or casual banter,” she said. “It is a harrowing demonstration of online gender-based violence.”

She warned that normalising such offensive commentary contributes to a culture of misogyny and public degradation of women, reinforcing a cycle of violence and objectification.

Pattern of Misogyny and Public Accountability

The Deputy Minister also highlighted that MacG’s behaviour is not isolated, citing reports of other women initiating legal action against him. “Women cannot be reduced to vulgar slurs,” she said. “Such objectification is a damaging reinforcement of gender-based disrespect.”

Letsike drew attention to South Africa’s history of patriarchy and legal exclusion during apartheid, warning against defending harmful speech under the banner of free expression in a democracy. “We hang our heads in shame,” she added, “when such comments are normalized.”

Public Backlash and Institutional Response

The Ministry praised the public for pushing back against the misogyny, as well as broadcaster Moja Love for its condemnation of MacG’s comments. However, Letsike urged stronger action from the channel: “The walk must match the talk if we are to enact meaningful and progressive social change.”

Government to Explore Legal and Regulatory Measures

In response, Letsike has committed to holding MacG accountable through multiple channels:

Referring the case to the Commission for Gender Equality, SA Human Rights Commission, and Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa.
Escalating the issue to Parliament and the Minister of Communications for possible regulatory reforms on online content.
Exploring legal charges such as crimen injuria under the Cybercrimes Act and Hate Speech Act.

She stressed that entertainment platforms cannot be allowed to promote or tolerate hate. “We cannot allow such language to become the norm under the guise of frivolous entertainment. Every woman in South Africa deserves to have her dignity respected—especially in public discourse,” she concluded.