‘Truth comes at a cost’: The Kiffness on death threats and family fears

STEADFAST: The Kiffness has opened up about death threats and backlash he received over his controversial views.

Cape Town musician David Scott, better known as The Kiffness, has spoken about facing death threats and fearing for his family’s safety over his outspoken views on politics, race and religion.

In an interview with NewsdayZA, Scott discussed returning to social media after stepping away from X earlier this year, saying the backlash over his controversial commentary had taken a frightening turn.

“You are allowed to disagree with me but if you start to try and threaten me and my family, which is what happened,” he said.

Scott claimed that his mother had been doxed by a member of the Black Sash, describing the incident as “just insane”.

“There was a point where I thought a planned show was not actually worth it. Why would I want to go on a stage when there is a very real possibility that someone could just crawl through the bushes at Kirstenbosch and take me out,” he said.

Scott said Kirstenbosch had to introduce security searches at the gate for the first time because of the threats.

“That is the reality of the world we are living in where being outspoken comes with a massive cost. But I’m going to keep doing it because we need to speak the truth,” he said.

Scott has repeatedly found himself in hot water over his social media commentary, with critics accusing him of racism and inflammatory remarks.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, he satirised a speech by former minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma about the ban on cigarette sales, sparking a public spat with then Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina.

Masina accused Scott of racism and having an apartheid mentality.

Scott also drew backlash in 2022 after defending Hank’s Olde Irish Pub in Cape Town amid allegations that a black patron had been denied entry unless accompanied by a white person.

His views on the Israel-Palestine conflict have also sparked criticism, with pro-Palestinian groups accusing him of promoting far-right narratives.

Scott said he left X at the beginning of the year because the platform made it difficult to communicate complex ideas.

“I think on platforms like that it’s great to be able to share ideas and see what others are saying. But I do think when you try and reduce complex ideas into these short paragraphs or sentences, people lose the nuance,” he said.

He said his posts were often misconstrued because people could not see his body language or understand his intention.

The musician, who is a father to a four-year-old son, revealed that he is expecting another child.

He said fatherhood had changed his outlook.

“I want my kids to grow up with their dad.”

Despite the threats, Scott said he would not stop speaking out, describing the truth as “the best disinfectant”.