Cape Town – Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie responded to EFF leader Julius Malema’s derogatory remarks during a National Council of Provinces (NCOP) session onWednesday, where Malema referred to McKenzie as a “pantiti” (jailbird).
Malema refused to retract his statement, claiming McKenzie’s criminal past defined him.
EFF President Julius Malema rose on a point of order and refused to retract his statement calling Minister Gayton McKenzie a ‘bantiti’ Jailbird
“I must call a jailbird a Minister? He is a jailbird, that is what he is” @Julius_S_Malema pic.twitter.com/dUrkI8OCLA
— News Live SA (@newslivesa) September 4, 2024
“I must call a jailbird a Minister? He is a jailbird, that is what he is”
In response, McKenzie highlighted his electoral success, pointing out that voters chose him over the EFF.
“I want to make it clear, I don’t mind you calling me a ‘pantiti’, but I want to make you aware of one thing – here in the Western Cape, my name was on the ballot as Gayton McKenzie, and your name was on the ballot as EFF. People looked at both, but they decided to vote for me.”
Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie responds to EFF President Julius Malema calling him a ‘bantiti’:
“I want to make it clear, I don’t mind you calling me a ‘bantiti’, but I want to make you aware of one thing – here in the Western Cape, my name was on the ballot… pic.twitter.com/Z2ABNCPVDk
— News Live SA (@newslivesa) September 4, 2024
This exchange is part of a broader conflict between McKenzie and EFF members, including past confrontations with EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
McKenzie has been vocal in defending his position and challenging criticisms from political opponents, often engaging in heated debates and exchanges in Parliament.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
