Former radio host Ngizwe Mchunu has escalated his campaign of hate against South Africa’s LGBTQIA+ community, this time, taking his rhetoric from online platforms to the streets of Johannesburg.
In a TikTok live video last week Friday night, Mchunu railed against the presence of queer people at KwaMai-Mai, a popular market and shisanyama (grilled meat eatery) in in the city, claiming he would personally travel to Johannesburg to confront LGBTQIA+ patrons wearing Zulu traditional attire.
Mchunu has particularly been outraged by viral images of a recent same-sex wedding in which the two grooms wore traditional cultural attire.
Mchunu’s Mob Marches to Kwa Mai Mai
On Sunday afternoon, Ngizwe Mchunu followed through on his threats, arriving in Johannesburg and gathering about 20 men, with a few of them dressed in full Zulu regalia.
In videos circulating online, the group is seen carrying beer bottles, sjamboks (leather whips) and knobkerries (Zulu traditional fighting stick), chanting as they marched toward KwaMai-Mai.
However, upon their arrival, they were denied entry by KwaMai-Mai’s management, a bold positive step taken. Police were already present at the scene, standing alongside management to prevent the group from entering and intimidating patrons.
Following his denied entry, Mchunu went live again, where he claimed that 12 of his men were arrested, and he continued spewing homophobic vitriol, once again targeting queer media personality Somizi Mhlongo, speaking about his family and sexuality. He then asked Mhlongo to tell the LGBTQIA+ community to apologise for wearing the Zulu traditional attire.
He went on to threaten:
“If we see one of you wearing the Zulu traditional attire… I, as Ngizwe Mchunu am saying no more!”
He continued: “Where you meet wearing it, we also shall be there. The shards will be scattered… You must create your own attire, not in this country. I am the president who decides what happens.”
Mchunu claimed he had not incited violence, despite being filmed leading a group of armed men and warning of an impending “war.”
“If there was an issue of some wrongdoing than I should have been the first one arrested. I did not invite anyone. All I said was that I am going to KwaMa-Mai.”
His message to the KwaMai-Mai management and hostel Chiefs was:
“The Chiefs, they did not do the honest thing to protect the dignity of the Zulu people, the truth of the Zulu people.”
He continued: “We respect the chiefs in the hostels, but they need to understand that we can see a war before it even begins,” he said.
Police have yet to confirm the arrests, but eyewitnesses at KwaMai-Mai have praised law enforcement for their swift action in defusing a potentially violent confrontation.
Somizi Mhlongo Speaks Out at Midrand Pride
Following Mchunu’s earlier week-long rant about the LGBTQIA+ community where he mentioned and said disrespectful, vile things about Mhlongo, the popular reality TV star addressed the crowd on Saturday at Midrand Pride.
“With regards to what’s happening, the homophobia that’s happening, my caution to you is don’t allow them to make you emotional,” Somizi told the cheering crowd.
“You know who you are, and when you know yourself, you’re unshakable. Don’t stoop to their levels, don’t swear back at them. All you need to do is be yourself 100%.”
While encouraging peace, Somizi added a powerful reminder of resilience and readiness:
“I’m not inciting violence, but there needs to come a point where they know who we are, and we are not backing down. Whether you’re lesbian, gay, or trans, when it’s time to fight for your right, we will fight for our right.”
Authorities and Community Respond
Community leaders and human rights advocates have since reiterated calls for Mchunu to face criminal charges under the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act.
Meanwhile, online reaction to the events has been one of widespread condemnation, and a powerful wave of queer solidarity. Across social media, South Africans have rallied behind Kwa Mai Mai’s management for standing firm in rejecting hate.
The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) earlier confirmed that it had received several complaints of hate speech against Mchunu. In a statement, the Hate Crimes Working Group called for law enforcement authorities to investigate and act against what it called Mchunu’s “incitement of violence.”
MAMBAONLINE EDITORIAL NOTE
MambaOnline salutes the KwaMai-Mai management, law enforcement authorities, and every South African who stood firm against hate this weekend. In a moment charged with danger, your courage sent a resounding message: queer people will not be intimidated, and love will not be policed.
By refusing entry to Ngizwe Mchunu and his mob, you protected more than just lives, you protected the spirit of our democracy, our Constitution, and our shared humanity.
This act of integrity and bravery is a blueprint for the South Africa we are still building, one where culture does not become a weapon, and where being African and being queer are not contradictions, but powerful truths that coexist in beauty and pride.
To our community: let this moment remind us that we belong everywhere. In our traditions. In our homes. In our joy. We are not guests in our culture — we are part of its heartbeat.
