Cape Town – The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has expelled its premier candidate in KwaZulu-Natal and youth wing leader, Bonginkosi Khanyile, after he attended a rally organised by the newly formed Umkhonto we Sizwe party.
Khanyile appeared at the event alongside former president Jacob Zuma, who has expressed support for the new party.
Bonginkosi Khanyile who is KZN Premier candidate for Patriotic Alliance doesn’t wanna baiza anymore. He answered President Zuma’s call to join MK party. He left the gangsters party. pic.twitter.com/i0Ley0zK0L
— Bra Hloni (@BraHlonisky) December 26, 2023
In a statement, Gayton McKenzie and Kenny Kunene, leaders of the party, announced the dismissal of the former student activist for his participation in a rally organised by the recently established Umkhonto we Sizwe party.
They cited Khanyile’s appearance at a rival political party’s event without consultation as a dismissible offence, the report said.
Khanyile initially defended his actions, saying he did not need permission, but later apologised, emphasising his continued allegiance to the PA.
Part 1 of #BonginkosiKhanyile response#mbalula #julius #malema #cindy #mkparty #zuma #standardbank pic.twitter.com/NyLoroFTaz
— BONGINKOSI KHANYILE 🇿🇦 (@Khanyile_BG) December 27, 2023
The PA acknowledged Khanyile’s apology but said that he had engaged in a dismissible offence.
“The leadership of the PA has decided that it is not acceptable for any leader of the PA to appear, without consultation of other PA leaders, at an event of a rival political party.
[BREAKING NEWS]@GaytonMcK Expels Bonginkosi Khanyile from his NGO-PA‼️‼️‼️
The Opportunistic Political Mover Bonginkosi Khanyile wrote a long wounded letter apologizing to the “owners” of Patriotic Alliance Gayton and Kunene for attending his “father” President Jacob Zuma’s… pic.twitter.com/xmR6mopO0M
— 🇿🇦 Apostle Dr Deza 🇹🇼 (@ApostleDeza) December 27, 2023
“Khanyile’s appearance was used by PA detractors to suggest that the PA is affiliated with MK in some way and that Khanyile was endorsing the party, particularly because Khanyile was accompanied to the event by PA supporters wearing our party’s regalia,” the report quoted the PA as saying.
The party said that Khanyile’s actions had brought disrepute to both himself and the PA, leading to his expulsion.
The party intends to announce Khanyile’s replacement soon, the report said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
