McKenzie asserts there's no room for opposition in GNU

Gayton McKenzie, leader of the Patriotic Alliance and Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, has praised President Cyril Ramaphosa, asserting that opposition parties against the Government of National Unity (GNU) have no place, as they are content within the coalition.

He made the remarks during a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday afternoon, where MPs debated President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA). 

The debate is scheduled to continue on Wednesday at 2pm, with Ramaphosa expected to respond on Thursday at 2pm.

McKenzie began by thanking the people of George, following the Patriotic Alliance’s five by-election wins in the George Local Municipality in the Garden Route this year, three of which were former Democratic Alliance (DA) stronghold wards.

“The people of George have voted in the past three weeks in three by-elections overwhelmingly for the fastest growing party, the Patriotic Alliance,” McKenzie said.

He added that the PA supporters had tasked him with thanking the government for listening to concerns about illegal foreigners.

The Patriotic Alliance is part of the ANC-led GNU, which also includes parties such as the DA and the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus).

He praised Ramaphosa for being consultative.

“You, Mr. President, are an example to all our mayors across the country, of all the mayors of the different political parties, that you listen to your coalition partners,” he said.

McKenzie highlighted recent government actions, including the deployment of 10,000 additional labour inspectors and the collaboration between police, the Department of Home Affairs, and labour inspectors to enforce immigration and labour laws. 

He also welcomed the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to Gauteng and the Western Cape to combat organised crime and illegal mining.

“Most importantly, Mr. President, very emotionally for our people, thank you for listening to our cries when we said bring the army to our areas,” he said.

He requested that the deployment also extend to the Eastern Cape due to high rates of violent crime.

However, later in the same sitting, Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia confirmed that the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, and SANDF Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya, had finalised a deployment plan set to begin within 10 days, which will include the Eastern Cape. 

Cachalia said the plan draws on lessons from both South African and international experience while respecting the mandates of the SAPS and SANDF, with the goal of restoring calm and preventing further killings.

McKenzie reiterated that the PA was satisfied with the GNU and had no intention of opening its ranks to other parties.

“Mr. President, the GNU - these ones - they don't want the DA, but they want the GNU.”

“I can tell you we are very happy in the GNU. There's no space for you. We will see you in the next election maybe, but not now, Mr. President,” he said, laughing lightly.

He said there was a difference between perception and reality, pointing to 10.5 million tourists visiting South Africa and the country’s highest-ever matric pass rate of 88%. 

He also claimed that the electricity grid had stabilised and load-shedding had ended, praising Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.

McKenzie took aim at Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, saying, “It is very ironic. Unlike EFF leader Julius Malema, they didn’t mention my name, but they were talking about me. I am going to mention your name.”

“It is very ironic that you speak about the high crime rate while you have contributed yourselves to that crime rate through your conviction. From now on, when you say 'bandit', (prisoner) you must specify which bandit - me or him. He's a convicted criminal. He's a bandit,” 

He made the remarks referring to Malema’s 2018 unlawful firearm discharge conviction.

The red berets leader was found by East London magistrates convicted of violating the Firearms Control Act last October.

The court found him guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area and reckless endangerment.

Malema fired a rifle in the air during an EFF rally held in Mdantsane in 2018.

The crowds cheered back then, and they are expected to show up for their leader once more in court.

His pre-sentencing proceedings were postponed to April 15-16, 2026.

Meanwhile, McKenzie was briefly criticised by opposition members for his remarks, with one EFF member saying “this thing is a thug.”

However, Patriotic Alliance MP Marlon Daniels defended him.

“That is the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture and the President of the fastest growing party in South Africa.”

The chairperson of NCOP Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane instructed McKenzie to continue.

McKenzie also highlighted South Africa’s growing status as a premier tourist destination, pointing to 54 of the world’s top golfers visiting and 75,000 tickets sold for golf events.

He also defended Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina following accusations from Malema for failing to address the water shortage crisis in the country.

McKenzie said Majodina’s only “crime” was wearing red and that she was working hard despite water shortages in Gauteng, including in Johannesburg and Tshwane.

“The GNU is working because all parties are working very nicely together. The GNU is the best.”

“We must ask real economists, not public economists. Real economists will tell you. We have turned the corner,” McKenzie added.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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