Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie has warned members to stay away from planned 30 June “March to March” protests over illegal foreigners, saying the party will expel anyone linked to violence.
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Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie has warned party members to stay away from planned “March and March” protests linked to the 30 June deadline over illegal foreigners, saying the party will not tolerate violence and would expel anyone who assaults foreign nationals.
McKenzie made the remarks during a Facebook Live address on Wednesday evening, where he repeatedly urged PA members not to participate in the planned mobilisation and warned of serious consequences for anyone involved in unlawful conduct.
He said he did not want PA members to become involved in protest action that could lead to arrests or violence, saying he was not a leader who wanted to follow what he described as a political style focused on protests.
“So I don’t want to see a PA member at March and March. I’m not a leader who wants to be fashionable like ActionSA’s leader Herman Mashaba, but leading my people to jail. Who’s going to bail you?” he said.
McKenzie warned members against being influenced by political hype around illegal immigration and protest action, saying those involved risked criminal consequences. “If you want to make yourself guilty of assaulting illegal foreigners, we will expel you,” he said.
He also warned that any violence during the planned protests could result in serious legal consequences. “If somebody dies there, you will be charged with murder,” he said.
McKenzie said there had been growing mobilisation around immigration-related protests and the 30 June deadline, but insisted that the state would act against any lawlessness. “The state is going to act. I’m part of the state. We will act,” he said.
McKenzie referred to communities such as Eldorado Park and Ennerdale, saying the areas had “never been touched” in relation to the situation involving illegal foreigners.
He added that “illegal foreigners” were being transported in buses and claimed that some were returning to their countries of origin.
“Illegal foreigners are leaving in buses, and Malawi is even fighting to get its people back home. What more do they want?” McKenzie said.
He urged PA members not to attend any marches or protest gatherings, warning that participation could lead to arrests and damage both individuals and the party.
“Don’t go to that march. Don’t be part of March to March,” he said.
McKenzie said reports circulating around the 30 June deadline suggested some groups were calling for action against foreign nationals, but stressed that such mobilisation would not be tolerated.
He said he was not intimidated, referring to “people with spears” and suggesting they believed others were afraid of them. He added that he was not scared of them. “We are not scared of them,” he said.
He said the Patriotic Alliance would not allow its members to be associated with violence or disorder, adding that discipline within the party would be strictly enforced. “We will not be part of anarchy in our country,” he said.
McKenzie also said he had learned from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership style, describing the President as calm, strategic and not easily swayed by political pressure.
He said Ramaphosa does not react impulsively, but takes time to assess situations before making decisions. “He’s very calculative. He looks at stuff,” he said.
He added that the Patriotic Alliance would take strict disciplinary action against any member who violated the party’s stance on violence or unlawful conduct, including expulsion for those found guilty of assaulting foreign nationals.
McKenzie has also previously defended his stance on illegal immigration, rejecting claims that he has softened his position since joining government.
He said his approach had become more responsible since taking up a ministerial role, arguing that he now operates within government structures where decisions are made.
He added that he was not opposed to the planned 30 June mobilisation, but strongly rejected any form of violence linked to it.
IOL Politics