MK Party MP Andile Mngxitama is standing by his remarks about Donovan Marx, a North West farmer whose attackers cut off his ears. His first post linked the wounds to land disputes and a refusal to hear grievances. That drew fierce backlash.
Police have made five arrests in the case. Reports suggest one of those held had worked for Marx in the past.
Facing public anger, Mngxitama told IOL that critics had taken his words out of context. He rejected calls for an apology and accused them of caring more about crimes against white farmers than the abuse faced by black farmworkers.
But his latest take adds a key point. Mngxitama says he condemns the harm done to Marx and meant to draw attention to farm labor abuses and land rights. He argues that those issues also deserve public concern and fair treatment.
EFF chief Julius Malema has weighed in as well. During a rally at Orlando Stadium, he spoke out against attacks on farmers of all races. He also said the struggle song Kill The Boer was not a call to kill people.
Then came another twist. Malema took aim at how police had dealt with the case and called for the suspects to be handed over to his party at the stadium. He said he wanted them brought there for a lesson, raising a fresh issue over his response.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has since received formal grievances over Mngxitama's social media comments. Commissioner Tshepo Madlingozi says staff are assessing the claims through the body's normal review process.
No ruling has been made public. Under section 13(3)(b) of the SAHRC Act 40 of 2013, read with section 20 of the Equality Act, the commission will share its decision once the review is done.
For context, the SAHRC also flagged that free speech has legal limits. South African law bars certain forms of harmful or hateful speech tied to protected traits. Whether Mngxitama's post broke those rules remains under review.
Police have made five arrests in the case. Reports suggest one of those held had worked for Marx in the past.
Facing public anger, Mngxitama told IOL that critics had taken his words out of context. He rejected calls for an apology and accused them of caring more about crimes against white farmers than the abuse faced by black farmworkers.
But his latest take adds a key point. Mngxitama says he condemns the harm done to Marx and meant to draw attention to farm labor abuses and land rights. He argues that those issues also deserve public concern and fair treatment.
EFF chief Julius Malema has weighed in as well. During a rally at Orlando Stadium, he spoke out against attacks on farmers of all races. He also said the struggle song Kill The Boer was not a call to kill people.
Then came another twist. Malema took aim at how police had dealt with the case and called for the suspects to be handed over to his party at the stadium. He said he wanted them brought there for a lesson, raising a fresh issue over his response.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has since received formal grievances over Mngxitama's social media comments. Commissioner Tshepo Madlingozi says staff are assessing the claims through the body's normal review process.
No ruling has been made public. Under section 13(3)(b) of the SAHRC Act 40 of 2013, read with section 20 of the Equality Act, the commission will share its decision once the review is done.
For context, the SAHRC also flagged that free speech has legal limits. South African law bars certain forms of harmful or hateful speech tied to protected traits. Whether Mngxitama's post broke those rules remains under review.
