The Registrar received a complaint in regard to the weekday soap, Egoli which is broadcast at 18:00. televisionDuring the second part of the EGOLI episode the character “Joe” made a remark in Afrikaans that insults the collective nature of gay men.  The use of the term “moffie” (faggart) was unnecessary.  It was used in a degrading manner and pictured gay men as people without any courage.  Why use the term “faggart”, instead of the term “gays”? The character remarked: “dink jy ek gaan soos ‘n moffie op my hande sit terwyl sy by ‘n ander man se bed kiep?” TRANSLATED: “do you think I will sit on my hands like a faggart while my wife is in bed with another man?”

M-Net responded by arguing that the use of the expression accorded with the robust language used by the well known character. 

The Tribunal held that the function which the use of the word “moffie” had in the Egoli sequence complained about was meagre compared to the fundamental importance which should be attached to the protection of the dignity of Gays. The Tribunal is convinced that a substantial number of gay viewers were seriously hurt in their sense of self worth and that, objectively, the invasion was serious. No legitimate public interest was served and the slight dramatic merit which it had, was clearly overridden by the serious invasion to the dignity of gays. 

The complaint was upheld.