Minnie Dlamini sues 'Podcast and Chill' hosts for R2.5 million over harassment and hate speech

TV producer and presenter Minnie Dlamini has initiated legal proceedings against “Podcast and Chill” co-hosts MacGyver “MacG” Mukwevho and Sol Phenduka. 

The ongoing feud between Dlamini and Mukwevho has previously made headlines, with the latest development being Dlamini’s decision to take MacG to court.

As reported by “Sunday World”, the media personality has taken MacG to the Equality Court and is demanding R2.5 million in damages for hate speech, unfair discrimination and harassment based on sex or gender.

This comes after Mukwevho’s crude remarks about Dlamini’s breakup with former boyfriend Dr Brian Monaisa. 

The controversy began when the podcast host commented that the reason for the split might be due to Dlamini’s hygiene, making a crude remark about her private parts.

“Why can’t she keep a man? There’s got to be something wrong with her, maybe her coochie smells or something,” Mukwevho said. “It happens, man, especially with the hot girls,” he added.

After joking about the controversy his comments created, he later apologised to all the women who were offended by the comment he made on Dlamini, stating that it was not his intention to offend them.

“I want to apologise first and foremost to all the female chillers and just women in general in South Africa that I might have offended with that comment, that was not the intention. You know, we never say things to offend people.”

He further extended an invite to Dlamini, saying she is more than welcome to be a guest on the show so they can “squash it” once and for all.

“This thing started on the podcast, let’s end it on the podcast. She said some things, I’ve said some things, let’s squash it once and for all, bro,” said MacG.

The debate continued, with Phenduka saying that it’s a good thing that MacG extended an olive branch, but he does not see Dlamini setting foot in the studio for a chat.

However, Dlamini did not accept the offer and broke her silence in a lengthy statement, where she shared her intent to pursue legal action after the statements made by Mukwevho.

“What occurred wasn’t banter - it was a grotesque and deeply harmful violation of my dignity, my humanity and my constitutional rights as a woman,” said Dlamini.

Dlamini rejected Mukwevho’s apology, according to court documents obtained by “Sunday World”. Instead, she is seeking R1 million in damages for the impairment of her dignity and R1.5 million for a women’s organisation, asserting that Mukwevho and Phenduka should face legal consequences.

Before the recent remarks made by Mukwevho, the podcast duo previously made disturbing comments about Dlamini, accusing her of exchanging sexual favours for money and spreading false rumours. Dlamini asserts that these comments constitute hate speech.

Dlamini’s court documents indicate her demand for a court-approved apology from Mukwevho and Phenduka, addressed to her and women in general.

“The respondents shall each, within six months, undergo 50 hours of gender sensitisation sessions, to be administered by the Commission for Gender Equality or an institution or person nominated by it.

“The respondents shall each, within six months, perform 100 hours of unpaid service at one or more institutions working against gender-based violence, to be nominated by the Commission for Gender Equality. 

“The respondents shall, jointly and severally, pay R1 500 000 to Women for Change (a non-profit organisation registered with the Department of Social Development) within 90 days,” Dlamini submitted.