Patriotic Alliance Rejects Drug Trade Allegations Against Minister Gayton McKenzie
The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has strongly refuted claims linking Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie to the drug trade, raised during Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee hearings this week.
The committee, probing allegations from SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, concluded its oral evidence sessions amid fresh claims. On Wednesday, uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s David Skosana pressed Mkhwanazi on a letter from jailed inmate Jermaine Prim, who shared a cell with alleged tendepreneur Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility. Prim’s unpublished letter details supposed conversations with Matlala, including a voice recording purportedly tying McKenzie to drug dealers and illicit funds. Mkhwanazi noted the letter amounts to hearsay evidence.
PA Deputy President Kenny Kunene dismissed the accusations as fabrications on Friday, insisting neither he nor McKenzie has any drug involvement. He revealed that in 2019 by-elections, Prim’s mother handled cooking for PA volunteers but was removed after food and groceries went missing under her watch. Since then, Kunene said, Prim has targeted McKenzie, himself, and PA councillors—especially in Eldorado Park—with insults via prison WhatsApp messages.
Kunene emphasized: “Gayton McKenzie is not involved in drugs. I’m not involved in drugs.” He recounted how Prim threatened PA councillors in Wards 17 and 18, prompting McKenzie to alert authorities about Prim’s cellphone use. Evidence led to Prim’s transfer from Sun City to C-Max prison for threats and spreading falsehoods.
“We’ve ignored Jermaine as a criminal seeking attention in prison,” Kunene added. “Our people know our work; they recognize his lies.” He denied any meetings between McKenzie or himself and Prim, questioning Prim’s claims of chatting with Matlala. Kunene clarified he’s seen Matlala at events but never spoken to him, accusing Prim of name-dropping for credibility. “McKenzie built his wealth through legitimate businesses, not drugs. We’ve grown the PA ethically, by engaging communities on the ground.”
The Ad Hoc Committee must finalize its report by March 31 and submit it to the National Assembly, potentially reshaping police corruption probes. Chairperson Soviet Lekganyane confirmed evidence leaders will summarize findings, with the secretariat drafting a report for MP deliberation.