ActionSA Initiates Criminal Intimidation Charges Against Minister Gayton McKenzie Over Facebook Live Security Remarks

ActionSA to lay criminal charges against Minister Gayton McKenzie following alleged threats against MP Dereleen James over travel expense queries.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 23, 2026, 4:49 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from IOL

Opposition Leadership Denounces Alleged Misuse of Ministerial Security Detail

Herman Mashaba, the leader of ActionSA, has announced that his party will pursue criminal intimidation charges against Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie. The decision follows a Facebook Live broadcast in which McKenzie reportedly boasted about his 24-hour, taxpayer funded security while issuing a cryptic warning to Member of Parliament Dereleen James. Mashaba expressed profound concern over the Minister's remarks, describing the display of state protected power as a direct threat against a public representative performing her constitutional duties.

Parliamentary Oversight Triggers Friction Over Luxury International Travel Costs

The tension between the two political figures stems from formal inquiries James submitted regarding the Minister’s frequent and high priced international trips. According to ActionSA, McKenzie has failed to provide a transparent breakdown of the costs associated with more than 20 luxury overseas visits. James characterized the Minister's previous responses as evasive, noting that neither he nor his deputy have disclosed the full financial impact on the national treasury. This lack of accountability in the official parliamentary record is cited as the primary catalyst for the current public hostility.

Allegations of Criminal Associations and Questionable Police Investigations

Further complicating the dispute are questions James raised during a committee meeting regarding Patriotic Alliance deputy president Kenny Kunene. She specifically asked KwaZulu-Natal Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi if authorities had investigated Kunene’s presence at the home of Katiso 'KT' Molefe, an individual linked to criminal activities, at the time of a police arrest. Mashaba asserted that because these issues were raised within the formal structures of Parliament rather than on "street corners," any retaliatory threats constitute an attack on the integrity of legislative oversight.