Bantu Holomisa Tells Caller and Host to Go to Hell During Gagasi FM Interview, Leaves Mzansi Divided
- General Bantu Holomisa sparked mixed reactions online after his outburst during an interview on Gagasi FM
- The Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans told a caller to go to hell, before repeating it to the host as well
- South Africans shared their thoughts on Holomisa's comments, with many divided on who was in the wrong
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
General Bantu Holomisa has caused a stir online after telling a radio listener to go to hell, before repeating the phrase to the Gagasi FM host as well.
The Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans was appearing on Gagasi FM’s Indaba show on Thursday, 21 August 2025, when he made the statement. The show is hosted by seasoned journalist Alex Mthiyane.
What caused Holomisa to utter the phrase?
Holomisa had been on air for approximately 30 minutes when he was losing patience with some of the callers. When one gentleman accused him of being arrogant, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader replied that it was a compliment, before telling the man that he was arrogant as well. While the man tried to speak, Holomisa said ‘thank you, bye-bye’.
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The man continued to try and speak, but the UDM leader told him that he was talking nonsense. The man then expressed frustration with the host that politicians could not answer questions, but the people voted for them to be there.
“You didn’t vote for me. So don’t talk lies,” Holomisa replied.
“No, we’d never ever vote for you, general, you’re useless,” the caller clapped back.
This didn’t sit well with Holomisa, who replied that the man shouldn’t vote for him and should ‘go to hell’.
Source: Twitter
Mthiyane asked Holomisa to retract comment
Mthiyane then stepped in and asked the deputy minister to retract his comment, but Holomisa wasn’t having it.
“I’m not going to do that. If you’re not satisfied, go to hell nawe (you too).”
The interview ended shortly after, as Mthiyane allowed Holomisa to leave the call, not before the caller said he was very disappointed that the country had leaders like that.
Holomisa’s eventual outburst was building throughout the 30 minutes he was on air, as he expressed frustration with more than one caller. The drama started when one caller suggested that politicians older than 65 needed to step aside and allow younger people to take over. Holomisa also described that comment as nonsense, adding that Nelson Mandela was in his 70s when he became president.
He also hurried along one caller, urging the man to be quick in getting to his point, as he was not there to be lectured.
Holomisa isn't the only politican who has made headlines during an interview on Gagasi FM. Malusi Gigaba addressed allegations made by his ex-wife during an interview on 20 August.
How did South Africans react?
Social media users were amused and astonished by Holomisa’s outburst, but he did have some citizens who understood his annoyance. Some focused on Mthiyane’s handling of the situation.
Patrick Matseba:
“I was going to do the same and tell that disrespectful caller to go to hell. Aowa, you can't disrespect elders like that. He also told the host to go to the nearest hell as well 😂.”
Sipho Dube:
“The most hilarious moment was when he told the host to go to hell as well🤣.”
Zii Khona Koko:
“The host didn’t protect the General. He was biased, and I’m glad he told him to go to hell, too. You can’t allow listeners to speak anyhow and expect your guest to respond politely when he is being disrespected.”
Pule Motloung:
“The caller was disrespectful himself. He can't call an elderly person arrogant and expect to be glorified. And the presenter, together with the producers, shouldn't have allowed the call/ conversation to continue at all in the first place🙄.”
Vero Veronica Vero:
“Good, they must go to hell, both of them. That presenter failed to protect him, and he just did what he could to stand up for himself✊🏽.”
Gama Ngcabela Sikobi:
“The General was also under attack there. He had to protect himself. Well done, General.”
Tholi Sithole:
“The General was very arrogant from the beginning of the interview. If you can listen to the whole interview on Gagasi FM podcast, you’ll understand.”
Alfred Lipholo:
“Who is still voting for Holomisa? That's why he has two seats in Parliament.”
Khothatso Dee Moeketse:
“He sounds very drunk😂. I think he had a couple of shots there😂.”
Zamani Zondi:
“We heard from the start of the interview that it was not going to end well. The General didn't want to answer any questions.”
Sbo Ndlovu:
“Hmmm, a member of Parliament responding like this. Indeed, he is useless.”
Mpho Wanne Rams:
“But the caller was disrespectful, and the presenter should have engaged with the caller to stop.”
Mzwandile Zenzele Khathi:
“Well done to Alex Mthiyane. He handled it very well. I don’t think the General will ever get an interview on Gagasi FM, which is bad considering we have Local Government Elections coming up soon.”
Kakapa Sibi:
“I am very disappointed by the Deputy Minister, and job well done, Mr Mthiyane. You handled the situation like a pro.”
Holomisa tells critics to go to hell
Briefly News reported that it's not the first time that Holomisa has told someone to go to hell.
In May 2024, the UDM leader slammed critics after his party's donor, the Oppenheimers, was revealed.
An angry Holomisa spoke harshly, saying that other political parties also received donations from the family.
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Source: Briefly News
