South African media personality Minnie Dlamini has taken legal action against popular podcast hosts Macgyver “MacG” Mukwevho and Solomzi “Sol” Phenduka, demanding a combined R2.5 million in damages. The case, which has sparked widespread public reaction, centers on comments made during a segment of the widely viewed *Podcast and Chill* show.
According to reports by *Sunday World*, Dlamini filed court papers at the Equality Court, accusing the *Podcast and Chill* hosts of hate speech, unfair discrimination, and harassment based on sex or gender. These allegations stem from comments made on a podcast episode in which MacG allegedly speculated about Dlamini’s body odour, leading to intense online backlash.
While MacG did issue an apology in May and even extended an invitation to Dlamini to appear on the podcast to resolve the issue, the actress and TV presenter rejected his apology. In her legal submission, Dlamini emphasized that the apology lacked sincerity, remorse, and genuine contrition.
In the lawsuit, Dlamini is demanding R1 million as compensation for the damage to her dignity and reputation. In addition, she wants the duo to pay R1.5 million to a non-profit women’s rights organization, Women for Change, which is registered with the Department of Social Development. The payment is expected to be made jointly and severally within 90 days, according to her court filing.
Entertainment channel MDN News posted a screenshot of the story on X (formerly Twitter), triggering a wave of responses from South Africans. Many supported Dlamini’s stance, while others criticized the lawsuit as excessive or opportunistic.
User @Khomo\_t\_s\_o said, “They messed up her reputation, bruh. Her image is ruined forever! She deserves something out of all this.”
Another user, @Yoniem5, encouraged Dlamini with, “Take them to the cleaners, girl.”
However, not everyone sided with her. @Zani\_Baccaria commented, “Sol Phenduka didn’t say anything. She’s just broke and trying to milk our brothers.”
Others questioned her motives or the potential outcome of the case. @I\_am\_a\_star09 remarked, “There is almost zero chance she will win this.”
Some users also pointed out that Sol Phenduka, who was present during the controversial episode, did not make any inflammatory comments himself. Despite this, he is being sued alongside MacG.
This isn’t the first time *Podcast and Chill* has courted controversy. The platform has a reputation for pushing boundaries with its candid conversations and provocative takes on celebrity news and personal lives. The duo’s discussion of Dlamini’s past relationship with Dr Brian Monaisa also drew criticism, compounding the public outrage.
The court proceedings are expected to draw further national attention, especially given the high-profile names involved and the growing conversation around accountability in digital media spaces. Whether the Equality Court will side with Dlamini remains to be seen—but one thing is certain: this case has sparked a deeper debate about freedom of expression, dignity, and online ethics in South African media.
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