Gayton McKenzie, Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister and Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader, warned that synergy in the Government of National Unity (GNU) was critical to preventing Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) from becoming a “tsunami”.
“We are in big trouble, and I say we, the government, are in serious trouble,” McKenzie said in an interview with BizNews.
McKenzie stated that before of the May 29 elections, he shared a stage with Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader Velenkosini Hlabisa, and ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba to discuss the MK Party’s possibilities.
“All of them on the stage said he is not a threat. I then said they are all lying, they are not living in reality. Zuma is going to be a force to be reckoned with, Zuma is going to come like a tornado. Well, the rest is history….”
McKenzie warned that the Zuma’s political influence and his party could significantly could grow in the upcoming 2026 local government elections.
“If you think Zuma is going to come through like a tornado, he is going through in 2026 like a tsunami. Zuma is working day and night,” McKenzie said in the BizNews interview.
“People don’t want to hear this, but we must be realistic about it. Zuma is bringing in whatever you call them ‘State Capture’ guys, criminals, he is bringing in people with a following and that is what politics is about.”
He stated that politics was about having a large following and cautioned the African National Congress (ANC) that if they were not careful, Zuma’s MK Party will become the country’s largest party.
“If they (ANC) are not careful, Zuma is going to become the biggest party and the GNU is the only thing that can stop Zuma, not the ANC.”
McKenzie warned that if the GNU fails to keep its pledges and improve service delivery, the ANC risks being overtaken by the MK party.
GAYTON MCKENZIE
We are in serious trouble. Jacob Zuma's MK Party is going sweep all of us if we are not careful
I warned everyone about Zuma before May 29 elections. They didn't listen.
I was proven right.
If we think Zuma was a tornado in May 29, wait for a Tsunami he is… pic.twitter.com/D3RRmV8QXk
— Constitution First 🇿🇦 (@Constitution_94) October 28, 2024
McKenzie voiced concern that the government was facing a major challenge, with the MK Party attracting high-profile political personalities from other parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the ANC.
Former EFF MP and public protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, as well as former KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) premier and ANC veteran Willies Mchunu, have just joined the MK party.
The two were announced as the party’s conveners in Mpumalanga and KZN, respectively.
Former EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu, former EFF MP Mzwanele Manyi, former EFF Student Command founder Mpho Morolane, and others have all joined the MK party’s ranks.