South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has expressed his support for Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who recently insisted that the government would not attempt to rescue the illegal miners trapped underground—reportedly numbering in the thousands.
The statement has sparked intense debate across the country, after Ntshavheni labeled the stranded miners as “criminals” and declared that the government would “smoke them out.”
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Ntshavheni said that the government would not put the lives of police officers and military personnel at risk by sending them down the shafts to rescue what she referred to as “criminals.”She said:
<blockquote>
We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out. They will come out. We are not sending help to criminals. Criminals are not to be helped. Criminals are to be persecuted [sic].
We didn’t send them there, and they didn’t go down there for the good benefit or for the good intentions for the Republic. So, we can’t help them.
Those who want to help them, they must go and take the food down there. They will come out, we will arrest them.
</blockquote>
Commenting on X, McKenzie expressed his support for Ntshavheni, adding that there should indeed be “lots of smoke.” He wrote on X in response to a clip of Ntshavheni’s remarks:
<blockquote>
Thank you Minister (Ntshavheni), let there be smoke, lots of smoke… Why don’t we get them some pizza with extra cheese toppings and a few bottles of wine whilst they making they mind up if they want to resurface ? Guns &amp; grenades are being hidden down there, these guys are buying time, no one is trapped, they are simply refusing to come up &amp; out.
</blockquote>
Another South African, Lindo Mnisi, concurred with McKenzie, saying criminality should never be tolerated. He wrote:
<blockquote>
The South African government must deal decisively with these criminals. Anybody who stands firm against illegal foreigners and criminals, will be supported and protected by all of us. Thank you Minister Ntshavheni for the decisive stance. We must stop tiptoeing around illegalities. Smoke them out!
</blockquote>
On the other hand, Helen Zille, federal chair of the Democratic Alliance, has called for a more empathetic approach to the issue of trapped illegal miners in Stilfontein, North West.
Commenting on X in response to a post by Newzroom Afrika, Zille said that the situation should be handled with compassion, as it directly impacts people’s lives.
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Gayton McKenzie supports Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's tough stance on illegal miners trapped underground. Ntshavheni called the miners "criminals" and said the government will not rescue them. McKenzie agrees and says there should be lots of smoke to force the miners out. Lindo Mnisi also supports this stance. However, Helen Zille believes a more empathetic approach is needed for the trapped miners. This has caused a big debate in South Africa. Some say criminals should not be helped and should be persecuted, while others believe compassion should be shown.

Gayton McKenzie Backs Ntshavheni’s Tough Stance On Illegal Miners, Says "Let There Be Lots Of Smoke"

South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, who is also the leader of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), Gayton McKenzie, warned that synergy within the Government of National Unity (GNU) is crucial to prevent the “tsunami” of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party), which is led by former President Jacob Zuma. 
In an interview with BizNews, McKenzie said that maintaining unity and cooperation among the diverse political parties in the GNU is essential to mitigate the potential disruptive influence of Zuma’s political party. He said:
<blockquote>
We are in big trouble, and I say we, the government, are in serious trouble.
</blockquote>
McKenzie said that before the May 29 elections, he shared a stage with John Steenhuisen, leader of the Democratic Alliance; Velenkosini Hlabisa, leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP); and Herman Mashaba, leader of ActionSA, during a discussion about the MK Party’s prospects. He said:
<blockquote>
All of them on the stage said he was 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…
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.
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.
McKenzie said that politics was about a huge following and warned the African National Congress (ANC) that if it was not careful, Zuma’s MK Party would be the country’s biggest party. He said:
If they (the 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.
</blockquote>
McKenzie warned that if the GNU fails to deliver on its promises and improve service delivery the ANC could be overtaken by the MK party as the largest political party in South Africa.
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Gayton McKenzie, the Patriotic Alliance leader, says the Government of National Unity (GNU) must work together to stop Jacob Zuma's MK Party from becoming a big threat in South Africa. He warns that if the government doesn't deliver on its promises and improve services, the ANC could lose to the MK Party. McKenzie says unity among political parties in the GNU is important to stop Zuma's party from growing. He also says Zuma is working hard to gain followers and become a powerful party in 2026. So, the government must work together to stop this from happening.

GNU Must Deliver Or ANC Risks Losing Ground to MK Party, Says Patriotic Alliance Leader

Zimbabwean immigrants residing in South Africa have filed a criminal complaint against the incoming Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, alleging “incitement of xenophobic violence, hate speech and intimidation.”
The complaint was submitted on Monday at the Sandton Police Station by Advocate Simba Chitando, acting on behalf of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit Holder Association (ZEPHA), according to a report by <a href="https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/south-africa/group-lodges-hate-speech-criminal-complaint-against-gayton-mckenzie/">Money Web</a>.
The complaint accuses McKenzie, who leads the Patriotic Alliance party, of inciting South African citizens to “murder vulnerable foreign nationals in hospital and, by implication, outside hospital”. It says:
<blockquote>
McKenzie intentionally, for admitted political reasons, communicated his desire to harm foreign nationals receiving treatment in South African hospitals in a manner that could cause their death, in public broadcasts on national television.
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The complaint adds that this violates the Prevention and Combatting of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act.
<blockquote>
McKenzie’s 2022 threat to personally switch off foreign nationals’ oxygen machines in hospitals was widely quoted in the South African press.
</blockquote>
The complaint cites remarks made by McKenzie shortly after a video of then-Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba went viral.
In the video, Ramathuba, now the Premier of Limpopo Province, is shown verbally confronting a Zimbabwean patient for seeking treatment in South Africa rather than staying in Zimbabwe.
Ramathuba claimed that foreign nationals were overburdening the healthcare system in Limpopo Province.
Speaking to eNCA later, McKenzie said:
<blockquote>
If there is a South African, Zimbabwean and Mozambican patient on oxygen and I see a South African patient born and bred in SA, I will turn the oxygen off so that the South African can live.
</blockquote>
In response, the Progressive Health Forum (PHF) called for criminal sanctions against those who incite violence.
PHF convener Dr Aslam Dasoo told News24 that the comments made by both Ramathuba and McKenzie amounted to the “language of ethnic cleansing and genocide.”
In its latest complaint, ZEPHA has urged the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the National Prosecuting Authority to take legal action against McKenzie over his alleged xenophobic hate speech and incitement to violence.
ZEPHA warned that failure to do so would constitute a breach of the United Nations Durban Declaration against racism and xenophobia, as well as violate South Africa’s domestic legislation and Constitution.
Responding to a recent TimesLIVE article by Chitando threatening McKenzie with prosecution – if not in SA then by the International Criminal Court, McKenzie wrote on X:
<blockquote>
He (Chitando) is smart because he has very good reason to be concerned about my inclusion [in the cabinet]. I would rather walk away than forgetting [sic] my main mandate which is mass-deportation. Parliament will know our chant “Abahambe” (they must go).
</blockquote>
In its complaint, ZEPHA has accused McKenzie, a former criminal-turned-politician, of violating the Intimidation Act through his hateful comments targeting Zimbabweans, which they allege amount to incitement to violence. It said in the complaint:
<blockquote>
For the above reasons, there is overwhelming evidence that McKenzie MP is guilty of the criminal offences of incitement of violence, hate speech and intimidation, which are serious criminal offences,” reads the complaint.
I expect the SAPS and NPA to fulfil their connotational mandate and hold McKenzie accountable for his unlawful and criminal conduct, which could cause widespread xenophobic violence and the murder of foreign nationals in the Republic of South Africa.
</blockquote>
Ahead of South Africa’s general elections held on May 29, 2024, McKenzie, the leader of the Patriotic Alliance (PA) party, took a hardline stance on the issue of illegal immigration.
McKenzie promised PA supporters that if the party came to power after the elections, all illegal foreign nationals would be deported back to their home countries.
He argued that illegal immigration negatively impacts South African citizens by affecting employment opportunities and other aspects of daily life.
The PA’s election manifesto stated that the party would utilize military personnel to assist the Department of Home Affairs in mass deportation efforts, to prevent deported illegal migrants from re-entering South Africa.
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Zimbabweans Lodge "Hate Speech" Criminal Complaint Against SA’s New Sports Minister

Gayton McKenzie, the president of the Patriotic Alliance, an opposition political party in South Africa, says undocumented Zimbabweans living in the neighbouring country illegally should return home now or be “forced to flee” after the general elections in May.
General elections will be held in South Africa this year to elect a new National Assembly as well as the provincial legislature in each province.
Posting on X, McKenzie warned Zimbabweans based in South Africa that they should leave peacefully now or risk being forced to flee the country after the elections. He wrote:
<blockquote>
South Africans are paying for the failed land reform program of Zimbabwe, you constantly complain about your Zimbabwe government but when you had a chance to go vote it out, you didn’t bother to go. We will chase you from our country and you will thank us one day.
I love Zimbabweans, I love them enough to tell them the truth, there will be no place to hide after the election and the current politicians who support your stay here will abandon you at the power-sharing table. Go home now instead of fleeing home after May.
</blockquote>
Responding to an X user who had asked why he targetted his vitriol at Zimbabweans as if all illegal immigrants are from Zimbabwe, McKenzie said:
<blockquote>
Most definitely not but you act the most entitled to our country. We are coming for each and every illegal foreigner but you are most definitely the most annoying amongst all of them.
</blockquote>
The 49-year-old politician and convicted bank robber recently denied reports that he is from Gweru, Zimbabwe.
South Africa is host to millions of Zimbabweans who went there from the year 2000 onward as economic refugees.
Illegal immigration is one of the major issues ahead of the vote and this has been the sprouting of several far-right groups that blame illegal immigrants for South Africa’s socio-economic challenges.
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"Go Home Now Instead Of Fleeing After May", Gayton McKenzie Warns Zimbabweans

Gayton McKenzie, a South African politician and convicted bank robber, has denied reports that he is from Gweru, Zimbabwe. McKenzie, who is the president of the Patriotic Alliance political party, has been vocal against illegal immigrants, especially Zimbabweans, residing in South Africa attracting the wrath of Zimbabweans. South Africa is host to hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans who went there from 2000 forward as economic and or political refugees.
McKenzie argues that foreign nationals, including Zimbabweans, should not be granted asylum if there is no war in their countries. He questions why people would go to a warzone in December, implying that their home countries are livable. He has called for an audit of permits, staying documents, job visas, and asylum seekers dating back to 1994.
Some Zimbabweans on social media have accused McKenzie of hating Zimbabweans and claimed that he is originally from Gweru. They allege that he made millions of dollars in Zimbabwe as a mining consultant but now does not want Zimbabweans to make money in South Africa.
In response, McKenzie stated during an interview with SABC’s Sakina Kamwendo that he was an investor in Zimbabwe and did not enter the country through unofficial entry points like some Zimbabweans entering South Africa. He claimed that he only visited Zimbabwe when he was about seven years old and denied being xenophobic.
Recently, McKenzie was elected as the Mayor of the Central Karoo District Municipality and has expressed his intention to address foreign-owned businesses in his area.
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