Social media is abuzz following news that one of South Africa’s opposition parties, Patriotic Alliance led by Gayton McKenzie, is allegedly funded by gangsters and drug money.
McKenzie has been under the microscope after he and members of the Patriotic Alliance (PA) took matters into their own hands, driving away hundreds of Zimbabweans illegally crossing into South Africa from Zimbabwe near the Beitbridge border post.
Now, the PA Treasurer in a voice recording explicitly detailed how drug money and gangsters allegedly linked to the late William ‘Red’ Stevens funded the party.
Naturally, the revelation sent tongues wagging on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter).
Some users expressed no surprise, citing McKenzie’s controversial past, which includes his conviction for armed robbery. On the other hand, some believe this is a smear campaign against the PA, arguing that the party is being targeted for blocking the entry of Zimbabweans into South Africa. Below are some of the comments:
@News_Ample:
It does not come as s surprise at all. If you know you know
@CharlieDance18:
Now I know for sure that Gayton is doing the right thing when the owners of illegal foreigners are getting chest pains over his blockade of illegal foreigners entering our country.
@SthembisoD39724:
@justinejus41586:
The patriotic alliance leader and its members must quit lying to us, going to the borders putting a fake performance infront of us chasing the Zimbabweans away, and to find out he’s involved in all scandals himself. we can’t trust him.
@BillySebako:
Now suddenly there’s a damning voice recording implicating PA party in wrong doing just because they exposed what is happening at our borders. How convenient!
Responding to the news, Gayton McKenzie denied that his party is funded by drug money and gangsters. He suggested that these claims stem from their refusal to join plans for the Cape to be independent from South Africa.
Taking to X, Gayton McKenzie wrote,
Last week they lied about us having taken back the bicycles we bought for the kids, this week they are lying again about drug money funding PA, we knew we would pay a heavy price for not agreeing to Cape Exit. We shall pay that on our way to take over Western Cape
Source iHarare
