Singer Silences Ventriloquist’s Dummy

Hofmeyr, who’s often criticized for what many consider racist views, has been granted a protection order against a political dummy named Chester Missing, which is operated by comedian and puppet master Conrad Koch.

Hofmeyr obtained the order against Koch and Missing when they poked fun at him. Koch and his puppet, who play a big role on political satire show “Late Night News,” may no longer make reference to or poke fun at Hofmeyr.

Koch described Hofmeyr as a racist after the singer tweeted that black people are the architects of apartheid.

The protection order means the ventriloquist and his dummy mustn’t mention Hofmey’s name, his sponsors or his business partners directly or indirectly on TV, social media and radio interviews.

The singer obtained the order preventing Koch – either directly or through his dummy – from making any public statements about him after some of his sponsors admitted they’re now considering canceling his contracts.

Koch says he will abide by the protection order but will be mounting a legal challenge to it. Apart from the remarks about blacks being the architects of apartheid, Hofmeyr’s background has also given him the reputation for apparent racism and extreme right-wing views. In World War II his grandfather was the leader of Boer militant group the Ossebrandwag, a movement that was sympathetic to Nazi Germany.

In 2008 Hofmeyr allegedly assaulted Esmaré Weideman, editor of Huisgenoot, a popular Afrikaans magazine, by pouring a cup of cold tea over her at the Miss South Africa finals. Earlier this year, Hofmeyr was criticised for singing the old South African anthem at an Afrikaans club in Australia. – John Gammon