The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is assessing complaints lodged by the United Democratic Movement (UDM) and members of the public regarding comments made by Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos.
SAHRC spokesperson Wisani Baloyi says the complaints fall within the commission’s mandate, in terms of the SAHRC Act 40 of 2013 and section 20 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act.
“We are aware of a recent media briefing by Mr Hugo Broos, where several statements expressing views on Bafana Bafana player Mr Mbekezeli Mbokazi and his agent, Barsia Michaels, were allegedly made,” Baloyi confirmed.
The commission says it has also taken note of public concerns expressed on social media.
Baloyi emphasised that freedom of expression is not absolute and that hate speech is prohibited under the Equality Act and the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act of 2023.
He added that SAFA has previously partnered with the commission to promote anti-racism and human rights, particularly during Human Rights Month earlier this year.
UDM deputy president Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, speaking on YOU FM Newshour, rejected claims that his complaint interferes with football matters.
“We are not talking about coaching selection or football administration. We know team selection is the coach’s prerogative. This has nothing to do with FIFA rules. Our concern is that, while addressing the nation about Bafana’s readiness for AFCON, the coach used racist and sexist remarks,” Kwankwa said.
Broos has been widely criticised for comments about Mbokazi’s late arrival at camp and the player’s move to US-based Chicago Fire. He also questioned the competence of Mbokazi’s agent, Barsia Michaels.
“A woman who is his agent and thinks she knows football is doing what many agents are doing—thinking ‘how much can I get?’ If she is a little clever, she knows there is AFCON and the World Cup next year, and that better teams could have been possible for his career than Chicago,” Broos said during the briefing.
His remarks have prompted a strong reaction from Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, who has demanded an explanation from both Broos and SAFA.
