Activist and broadcaster Ngizwe Mchunu has responded to the Johannesburg High Court, which, acting as an Equality Court, mandated that he apologise to the LGBTQIA+ community. The court’s ruling stated that Mchunu’s actions and public declarations constituted hate speech, harassment, and unfair discrimination against LGBTQIA+ individuals.
The ruling stemmed from a complaint filed by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), TransHope, and the Hate Crimes Working Group, represented by Lawyers for Human Rights. This legal action was prompted by Mchunu’s ongoing refusal to apologise for his previous comments.
Despite the ruling which required him to apologise and pay a significant fine, Mchunu has declared that he will not comply. He insists that those asking for an apology should address the Zulu royal house instead.
Ngizwe Mchunu comments on court’s apology order
In an interview on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, Mchunu indicated that he was representing the Zulu royal house by fulfilling his duties as president of Amabhinca, a position he claims was bestowed upon him by King Misuzulu kaZwelithini. He maintained that his actions should not be taken as his personal stance, but rather as a reflection of his role within the Zulu royal family.
“This matter is not against me only. It’s against the Zulu king himself and the Zulu nation as a whole. I was appointed by the king to be president of Amabhinca. I respect the king. If they want an apology from me, it means I’m the owner of Zulu traditional attire and that is not the truth. King Misuzulu is the only owner. If the Human Rights Commission wants an apology, they will get it in the Zulu royal house,” he said.
When contacted by Daily Sun, a representative for King Misuzulu, Prince Thulani Zulu, refrained from making any statements regarding Mchunu’s comments at this time, stating they would need to consult with the Bhinca Nation Podcast host first before issuing a response.
Ngizwe Mchunu’s previous refusals to apologise
This incident marks not the first time that Ngizwe Mchunu has defied a court order.
In May 2026, he remained steadfast in his refusal to apologise to Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, even after the Gauteng High Court mandated him to do so.
The court sided with Malema following his defamation claim against Mchunu, which arose after a series of explosive comments made during a televised discussion on April 28, 2026, which circulated widely online.
