SAHRC responds to Andile Mngxitama’s farm attack tweet

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has responded to widespread backlash over comments by MK Party MP Andile Mngxitama condoning the attack on North West cattle farmer Donovan Marx.

In a tweet, Mngxitama claimed that the attackers’ decision to chop off Marx’s ears was “symbolic”.

Five suspects have since been arrested in connection with the Ventersdorp attack.

SAHRC RESPONDS TO ANDILE MNGXITAMA TWEET ABOUT FARM ATTACK

Over the weekend, social media users have called on the SAHRC to investigate and take action against Andile Mngxitama.

On Monday, 2 November, SAHRC Commissioner Tshepo Madlingozi told The South African in a statement: “The South African Human Rights Commission confirms that it has received complaints against Mr Andile Mngxitama regarding a post on Mr Donovan Marx. The Commission is assessing the complaints in line with its Complaint Handling Procedure.  

“The decision of the assessment will be communicated in due course as empowered by section 13(3)(b) of the South African Human Rights Commission Act 40 of 2013 (SAHRC Act), read with section 20 of the Equality Act, 2000”.

 It continued: “The Commission wishes to remind members of the public that the right to freedom of expression is not absolute. The Constitution and the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act of 2000 prohibit utterances that are intended to be harmful or propagate hatred on any of the listed grounds. ”

HISTORY OF TWEETS ABOUT RACISM, FARM ATTACKS AND WHITE SOUTH AFRICANS

Andile Mngxitama began trending over the weekend, when he tweeted: “Ventersdorp white farmer Donovan Marx had his ears cut off during a Plaas moord aanval [farm murder attack]. Attacking the ears is symbolic to denote the refusal of land thieves to listen. No land, no peace. 

He added, “Farm life is overdetermined by systematic violence! Blacks got killed and fed to pigs!”

The MK Party MP later deleted the tweet but did not deny having posted it. In several responses, he poked fun at the backlash of his racially inflammatory comments.

Andile Mngxitama, a former member of the EFF who later started his own party, Black First Land First (BLF), has a long history of controversial social media and public comments on race, land ownership, white South Africans, and farm attacks.

His comments on X [formerly Twitter] have led to his account being permanently suspended.

Here are a few of his most controversial statements…

“We take the land by force. We’re not going to buy this land because it was stolen from us.” – October 2016, speaking at a rally.

“For those claiming the legacy of the holocaust is ONLY negative, think about the lampshades and Jewish soap.”

“I concur with @helenzille that the aroma of the burning flesh from the furnace of the holocaust may whet the appetite of the S.A. cannibals.” – August 2017 via X.

“All land owned by white people should be returned to black people. That includes land in Orania and Stellenbosch; all that land must be returned” – September 2018, speaking in parliament. 

“For every one black life taken, five whites would be taken!” – December 2018 during a rally.

“Let’s repeat: if you kill black people. Will kill you too! Tell Johann Rupert” – December 2018 via X.

“I agree with Trump: the land thieves must leave SA and go to the USA. Our land shall be free of colonialists – Mabahambe!” – February 2025 via X.

Mngxitama suggests “plaas moord” [farm murders] was a way for South African to “be free of colonialists” – February 2025 via X.