Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has categorically denied allegations that he or his Patriotic Alliance (PA) party have ties to drug cartels.
The denial follows an exclusive telephonic interview conducted by eNCA journalist Heidi Giokos with convicted fraudster Jermaine Prim, who is currently serving time at Johannesburg Correctional Centre.
In the interview, Prim claimed McKenzie is a “proxy” for the so-called “Big 5” drug cartel and alleged that the minister smuggled two cellphones into prison to help run the PA’s social media and by-election campaigns. Prim further suggested the party received funding linked to drug money and operated as a political proxy for the ANC.
McKenzie, who leads the Patriotic Alliance and serves in the Government of National Unity, dismissed the claims as “far-fetched” and false. He stated he has never met Prim in person and only spoke to him once by telephone in January 2025. The minister indicated he would be taking legal action over the broadcast.
The Patriotic Alliance has rejected the accusations outright, describing Prim as a “serial conman” whose claims lack credibility.
Correctional Services officials confirmed the interview was unauthorised and have launched their own internal investigation into how it was conducted.
The allegations surfaced earlier this month when a letter written by Prim was presented to Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The cartel is alleged to be involved in drug trafficking, contract killings, and other serious crimes, and is currently under investigation by the Madlanga Commission.
McKenzie has a past criminal record but has long positioned himself as a reformed politician fighting crime. The latest claims have drawn sharp reactions on social media, with some calling for his suspension and others urging a full police investigation.
As the story develops, opposition parties and civil society groups are watching closely to see whether the matter will prompt an official probe by the Hawks.