South African politician Gayton McKenzie has responded to a viral photo showing him grinning alongside President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The image gained attention as McKenzie and members of his Patriotic Alliance (PA) made headlines for taking matters into their own hands and preventing hundreds of foreign nationals from crossing the river between Zimbabwe and South Africa near the Beitbridge border post.
PA leader Gayton McKenzie, along with his deputy Kenny Kunene, shared videos of their activities on social media. However, criticism arose when a photo of McKenzie happily posing with President Mnangagwa circulated, with some questioning his relationship with Zimbabwe’s leaders while simultaneously chasing away Zimbabweans.
In addressing the criticism, Gayton McKenzie offered more details about the photo. He explained that he first visited Zimbabwe in 2006, where he made investments. However, he disinvested from the country in 2015, without specifying the reasons for his decision.
McKenzie clarified that the picture was taken when President Mnangagwa served as Vice President under the late President Robert Mugabe. He emphasized that he had entered Zimbabwe legally, providing job opportunities for its citizens during his business ventures.
McKenzie made it clear that his actions to chase away Zimbabweans were driven by a love for South Africa rather than animosity towards them.
Expressing his sentiments on social media, McKenzie stated,
“In 2006 I visited Zim for the first time, I saw opportunity and invested in Zim, I disinvested in 2015, I met the current President when he was still DP, i entered Zim legally, gave jobs to Zimbabweans in Zim. I don’t hate Zimbabweans, I just love my country. I am an investor💁🏿♂️.”
Source iHarare
