Human rights inquiry demanded: Broos accused of racist, sexist comments
Mbekezeli Mbokazi is put through his paces at the Bafana training camp in Pretoria. Hugo Broos' comments about Mbokazi and his agent could land him in trouble after UDM lodged a formal complaint with the Human Rights Commission.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
Hugo Broos' comments about Mbekezeli Mbokazi and his agent could land him in trouble after UDM lodged a formal complaint with the Human Rights Commission.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
There is trouble brewing for Hugo Broos after political party UDM approach the Human Rights Commission to investigate the Bafana Bafana coach over racially charged and sexist remarks.
This comes after the Belgian voiced his displeasure with defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who was late for the training camp after missing his flight. Apart from Mbokazi’s tardiness, Broos was also not happy with the player’s move from Orlando Pirates to Chicago Fire.
Speaking in a Wednesday’s press conference, Broos said: “If you receive a call up to play for the national team to play in Afcon and the World Cup, if your [club] coach gives you a few days more off, if you are somebody with a good attitude, you don’t even want those two days. You are here on Monday like the other players. I will have a chat with him after training. And I can assure you, he’s a black guy, but he will come out of my room as a white guy.”
Later on in the press conference, when speaking about Mbokazi’s move to MLS, Broos referred to the player’s agent as “that little woman who thinks she knows football”.”
“We have lodged a formal complaint with the Human Rights Commission against Coach Hugo Broos for his racist and sexist remarks directed at Mbokazi and his agent, Ms Basia Michaels,” UDM MP Nqabayomzi Kwankwa said in a Facebook post.
“Racism and white supremacist attitudes have no place in our society and we will not tolerate them from anyone, including the Bafana Bafana coach. We have also written to SAFA to express our deep concern and disgust at his comments. Hugo must be held to account for his utterances!”
Broos now faces formal scrutiny following the complaint lodged with the Human Rights Commission. How SAFA and the commission respond will determine the next steps and potential consequences for the national team coach.
Writing on his official X account, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie said: “I’m awaiting the response from SAFA & Coach Hugo Broos before I comment. The comments made by the coach require clarification as they are open to any interpretation currently.”
IOL sent a request for comment to SAFA, but no response had been received at the time of publication.
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