The Presidency has moved quickly to distance itself from Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie after he publicly backed the United States’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

What McKenzie Said About ICE and Trump

McKenzie made the comments in an interview with SportsBoom.co.za, where he shouted “Viva ICE!” and said he supports Trump’s hardline approach to immigration.

“I totally agree with ICE,” McKenzie said, adding that South Africa should “do the same here” and that he cannot criticise something he wants for his own country.

He also rejected calls for South Africa to boycott the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the US and Mexico in June. McKenzie argued that fans with visas who follow “proper processes” should not face problems.

In the same interview, he mocked those pushing for a boycott, saying they were “suffering from cow disease”, and warned there could be “severe repercussions” if South Africa stayed away. He claimed South Africa could be banned from international football.

Why the Presidency Stepped in

In response, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said McKenzie’s remarks should be seen as the views of a political party leader, not an official government position.

“Minister McKenzie leads his own political party. Not everything he says is in his official capacity as a government minister,” Magwenya said.

Magwenya added that the Presidency is not required to comment on every statement McKenzie makes in his political capacity.