Minnie Dlamini sues podcaster MacG for R2,5m after private parts comments

South African media personality Minnie Dlamini is demanding R2.5 million in damages from controversial podcaster MacG, following derogatory remarks made about her on his Podcast and Chill show.

In legal papers filed last week, Dlamini claims the podcaster, real name MacGyver Mukwevho, and his co-host Sol Phenduka defamed her and promoted misogyny through a series of episodes aired between 2021 and 2022.

The pair allegedly suggested that Dlamini’s romantic relationships failed due to issues with her genital hygiene and accused her of leveraging sexual favours for professional gain.

The claims sparked outrage across social media and drew criticism from gender activists and some government officials, with renewed calls to regulate digital content platforms like podcasts.

Dlamini is seeking R1 million in personal damages and wants an additional R1.5 million donated to a women’s organisation of her choice. She has also rejected the public apology issued by MacG.

In her court affidavit, Dlamini accuses the podcasters of creating a culture of hate and dehumanisation of women, pointing to an earlier episode from December 2021 that featured rapper and Uyajola 99 host Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye.

She criticised the hosts for repeatedly using the term “smashing” to refer to sexual acts, arguing that such language promotes a dangerous mindset in a country grappling with high rates of gender-based violence.

Dlamini said a subsequent February 2022 episode targeted the breakdown of her marriage, accusing her of marrying for money and being unfaithful. She believes this episode was retaliation for her criticism of their prior sexist comments.

“Their statements stereotype women like me as gold diggers and suggest we are unfaithful when richer men come along,” she said. “This was an attempt to shame me into silence.”

In yet another episode aired on May 12, 2022, the duo allegedly linked her to businessman Edwin Sodi’s so-called “hit list” of women he had slept with, describing female celebrities as “premium stock” and likening them to disposable objects.

“They accused me, falsely, of cheating on my husband and portrayed me as a prostitute—one of the oldest and most degrading archetypes used against women,” Dlamini added.