DA asks Public Protector to probe alleged PA links to McKenzie department appointments

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie is facing fresh scrutiny after the DA submitted additional evidence to the Public Protector over alleged PA-linked appointments and his R31-million World Cup trip.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted additional evidence to the Public Protector as part of an ongoing investigation into Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, alleging that he may have used his position to benefit allies linked to the Patriotic Alliance (PA).

In a supplementary complaint lodged on Thursday, the DA called on the Public Protector to broaden its investigation into whether McKenzie violated the Executive Members’ Ethics Act and the Executive Ethics Code through appointments and decisions that favoured individuals connected to his political party.

The DA spokesperson on Sport, Arts and Culture, Leah Potgieter, said the latest submission provides the Public Protector with new information concerning appointments to public entity boards and the minister’s controversial R31-million trip to the FIFA World Cup.

“The Public Protector has the evidence now to investigate PA insiders who appear to be benefiting from taxpayer money,” Potgieter said.