Explosive allegations against Minister Gayton McKenzie

The DA’s Leah Potgieter alleges that Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, benefited his inner circle and the Patriotic Alliance (PA).

This formed part of the information the DA submitted to the Public Protector to supplement the existing investigation into McKenzie.

The Public Protector is looking into whether he has breached his oath of office by favouring people close to him and his party.

The DA’s supplementary complaint lodged on Thursday, 3 September 2026, asks the Public Protector to broaden the investigation.

It includes an assessment of whether McKenzie has breached the Executive Members’ Ethics Act and the Executive Ethics Code.

McKenzie is bound by the Ministerial Handbook, which states that no more than two support staff members may accompany a Minister abroad.

“He took his chief of staff, private and appointment secretary, spokesperson, and two ministerial support staff on his R31-million World Cup trip,” she said.

Another issue is the appointment of PA members to the 2025/26 Mzansi Golden Economy adjudication panel.

“At least 19 individuals connected to the PA have been appointed to the boards of public entities within the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture,” she said.

This includes appointments of persons connected to the PA in influential positions on boards such as:

• The National Library of South Africa (NLSA)
• The National Arts Council (NAC)
• The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF)
• The Robben Island Museum

“Several of these individuals serve on multiple boards, which could pose a significant conflict of interest,” Potgieter said.

“Additionally, many of these entities are currently plagued by allegations of serious mismanagement.”

The second part of the supplementary provides the Public Protector with further information on the World Cup delegation.

“Gayton McKenzie’s Department is failing to provide adequate information to Parliament about the trip,” she said.

“It has also come to light that many of the Minister’s 18-member World Cup delegation were drawn directly from his political office.”

The DA has submitted a PAIA request to obtain further information on this matter, which will be provided to the Public Protector.

“The Public Protector now has the evidence to investigate PA insiders who appear to be benefiting from taxpayer money,” she said.

She added that PA insiders around Gayton McKenzie are continuously accused of consuming taxpayer money, as alleged in their complaint.

“South Africa has had enough of reports about the Minister’s selection of individuals connected to the PA for positions around him,” Potgieter said.