Gayton McKenzie, the leader of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), has issued an apology in a now deleted Facebook post for the poor turnout at his party’s 10th anniversary rally at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday. He blamed the food, drink and logistics problems for the low attendance and promised to hold another event within 90 days.
However, McKenzie also made a controversial statement during his speech, saying that he would switch off the oxygen of illegal foreigners who are hospitalized at the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, once his party is elected into public office next year. He said that he did not want illegal foreigners in South Africa and that they should go home.
McKenzie’s remarks have sparked outrage and condemnation from various sectors of society, including human rights groups, health workers, migrant communities and political opponents. They have accused him of inciting violence, hatred and xenophobia against vulnerable people who need medical care.
The PA is a small political party that was founded in 2013 by McKenzie and Kenny Kunene, two former convicts who became businessmen. The party claims to represent the interests of the poor and marginalized, especially the coloured community. The party has a few seats in some municipal councils, but has not made any significant impact at the national level.
