The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has launched an investigation into alleged racist and derogatory statements attributed to Dis-Chem shareholder Mark Saltzman.In a series of since-deleted posts on X, Saltzman called journalist Redi Tlhabi a “bitch” during a social media dispute in response to her advocacy for Palestinian rights, further accusing Tlhabi of receiving funding from Qatar and his mother’s Dis-Chem Foundation to spread misinformation.Saltzman was also accused by a user on the X platform, without providing proof of its legitimacy, of using the “k-word” and asking “where’s your dompas” in another social media post.The exchanges sparked widespread calls for a boycott of Dis-Chem.The SAHRC said it had noted the social media content circulating online and immediately initiated its probe.“The commission confirms it has, on its own accord, opened an investigation into the matter in accordance with its constitutional and legislative mandate.“At this preliminary stage, the investigation will include, among other things, verification of the authenticity of the material and consideration of the matter in line with the commission’s complaints-handling procedures and applicable equality jurisprudence.”Hello. Some of you mean well and I always appreciate and reflect on your counsel. But not always. For months, @Dischem 's Mark Saltzman (who has now deleted his account ( called me a bitch. I did nothing. I assumed he was another angry troll. I didn't know who he was until he… pic.twitter.com/xpYo33fxuV— Redi Tlhabi (@RediTlhabi) May 17, 2026