Anton Taylor (comedian) responds to Hawks raid over Mchunu joke: ‘It was completely innocuous’

CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit speaks with Anton Taylor, a comedian.

Listen below:

In March this year, comedian Anton Taylor posted a video pretending to be an underworld kingpin who bribed Minister Senzo Mchunu with a BMW and three sex workers. 

However, Mchunu took the joke very seriously, calling it insulting and cruel.

He is pressing charges against Taylor, which led to his home being raided by the Hawks and his phone being confiscated in June.

The case against Taylor was classified as a 'crime against the state', on par with treason.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) declined to prosecute, saying that there was no reasonable prospect of success.

Taylor says that even the Hawks captain he spoke to was apologetic about the raid, and it was clear there was pressure to act.

“He he did seem, in his defence, quite aware of how ridiculous it was.”

- Anton Taylor, comedian

“It was very clear that from up top they were really serious about... making my life difficult.”

- Anton Taylor, comedian

He adds that he was completely shocked by the raid and never would have expected this reaction to a video.

“Of the things I've said about political figures, this was honestly really completely innocuous.”

- Anton Taylor, comedian

RELATED: DA demands accountability on Hawks raiding comedian's home over satirical video

Taylor’s video was posted several months before Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi held his press conference alleging corruption in the police service.

“One theory I have is that he just got upset and abused his power. The other theory is that he perhaps thought I was getting inside information because in the offending video, I almost predicted that Mkhwanazi was going to come for corrupt politicians.”

- Anton Taylor, comedian

Watch the offending video below:

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