Gayton Mckenzie
By Thabo Mosia
The Office of the Public Protector, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, has initiated an investigation into Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie amid serious allegations of misuse of public funds during his recent trip to the Olympics in Paris, France.
This probe follows a complaint lodged by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), with spokesperson Sinawo Thambo declaring the party’s commitment to holding the so-called Government of National Unity (GNU) accountable for its actions.
In a letter dated December 3, the Public Protector confirmed receipt of the complaint, which highlighted potential violations of the code of ethical conduct and the Ministerial Handbook governing members of the executive. Gcaleka’s office acknowledged Thambo’s allegations, which paint McKenzie’s actions in a dubious light, suggesting not only a misuse of funds but also a deliberate misleading of the public regarding the nature of his visit. “We confirm receipt of your complaint lodged with our Western Cape office on December 17, 2024, in connection with allegations that Mr McKenzie violated the code of ethical conduct and possibly violated the Ministerial Handbook which guides Members of the Executive,” said Gcaleka.
“In response to the Public Protector’s request for clarification of the complaint on October 23, you lodged your amended complaint in terms of section 4(1) of the EMEA.”
The scrutiny intensifies as McKenzie disclosed in a parliamentary response that his Olympic trip cost over R800,000. The breakdown is staggering: R215,976 for flights, R113,271 for accommodation, and an alarming R454,005 on ground transport. Thambo had expressed outrage over these figures, branding them a blatant misuse of public resources.
“McKenzie’s extravagant expenditure on this trip, from flights to hotel accommodation, shows a blatant disregard for taxpayer money,” Thambo stated. “He has admitted to spending over R800,000 on his Olympics visit. Yet, he initially denied attending the event, only later to confirm it in a response to a parliamentary question. This inconsistency is a serious matter of public trust and calls into question his adherence to ethical standards.”
The expenses were laid bare in a letter from Dr CN Khumalo, the acting director-general of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture. It was reported that the exorbitant ground transport costs, which included chauffeur services, raised eyebrows across the political spectrum, with the EFF describing these expenses as excessive, particularly when considering McKenzie’s previous claims that his attendance was limited to the opening ceremony.
The EFF has been vocal in its criticism, with Thambo stating, “The expenditure was extensive and is puzzling as the figures and what they relate to seem to expose exorbitant and unethical use of taxpayers’ money.” He further added, “Figures such as R454,005 for ground transportation and R215,976 for flights are a staggering revelation of what can only be described as looting, as McKenzie clearly took a large cohort of his associates as these figures could not possibly account for an individual.”
In response to the allegations, McKenzie has maintained that his trip was for official purposes, stating that he attended several meetings with ministers from other countries and only attended the opening ceremony of the Olympics. He took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to defend himself, saying, “I left the day the Olympics started; I went for government meetings with ministers of other countries. I didn’t attend the Olympics, only the opening, and I came back to work. I could have stayed but wanted to get to know my new portfolio. Stop lying to people.”
However, this statement has been met with skepticism, as McKenzie’s own parliamentary response confirmed his attendance at the Olympics and detailed the associated costs. The EFF has accused him of dishonesty, with spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys stating, “Being the clumsy criminal that he is, who is perpetually overwhelmed by social media attention, McKenzie took to social media to deny that he ever went to the Paris Olympic Games, and that he left on the same day of the Olympics. He made this stupid pronouncement forgetting his answer to a parliamentary question, and exposing himself, because if he spent one day at the Olympics, it then begs the question who was being paid for during that period as outlined in his own answer to a parliamentary question.”
The controversy has also drawn attention to McKenzie’s past. A former bank robber who served seven years in prison, McKenzie has often spoken about his reformation and rise in politics. His appointment as Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture was part of President Ramaphosa’s coalition arrangements to secure his second term. McKenzie’s Patriotic Alliance, which has an anti-immigration stance, gained nine parliamentary seats. Initially, he desired to be police minister, citing his gangster background for tackling crime, but agreed to his current role.
The current investigation by the Public Protector will examine whether McKenzie’s actions violated the code of ethical conduct and the Ministerial Handbook, which guides members of the executive on the utilisation of public funds. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for McKenzie’s political career and the public’s trust in government officials.
As the investigation unfolds, the public awaits clarity on the matter. The EFF has vowed to continue holding the government accountable, with Thambo stating, “The EFF will continue to ensure that the so-called GNU is held accountable at all times.”
In the meantime, McKenzie has called for transparency within his department, requesting a detailed breakdown of the expenses incurred during his trip to Paris. He has expressed a commitment to addressing any issues and ensuring that public funds are used responsibly.
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