The Patriotic Alliance has strongly denied claims that Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie is linked to drug cartels. The allegations surfaced during Parliament’s ad hoc committee hearings into claims made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

The committee heard about a letter from prisoner Jermaine Prim, who claimed he had information linking McKenzie to drug dealers and drug money. Mkhwanazi told the committee the letter amounted to hearsay evidence, which means it has not been confirmed as fact.

Kenny Kunene Calls Allegations Lies

Patriotic Alliance deputy president Kenny Kunene dismissed the claims and said neither he nor McKenzie is involved in drugs. He described Prim as someone who has been spreading false claims from prison for years.

Kunene said Prim had previously insulted party leaders and councillors, especially in Eldorado Park. He also claimed Prim used a cellphone in prison to send threatening messages and false information to WhatsApp groups outside. According to Kunene, the matter was reported to authorities and Prim was later moved from Sun City Prison to C-Max prison.

Kunene further said McKenzie has never given Prim drugs to sell and insisted the minister’s wealth comes from legitimate businesses. He also said he does not believe Prim ever had the conversations he claimed to have had with Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Committee Deadline Now in Focus

While the latest denial adds political heat to the saga, the bigger issue now is what the ad hoc committee does next. The committee has until 31 March 2026 to conclude its work and report back to the National Assembly. Chairperson Soviet Lekganyane said evidence leaders will present an overview before MPs deliberate on the final report.

That means the focus will shift from explosive allegations to whether lawmakers believe there is enough credible evidence to act. For now, the claims against McKenzie remain disputed, unproven and politically charged.