Thokozile Mnguni
Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie has warned party members against participating in anti-immigration protests organised by March and March, threatening expulsion for anyone found assaulting undocumented foreign nationals.
McKenzie made the remarks in a video that has since gone viral on social media.
March and March have been advocating for the deportation of undocumented foreign nationals and have called on those without legal status to return to their countries of origin by 30 June.
The movement, led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, Ngizwe Mchunu and Phakelumthakathi, has staged protests in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and parts of the Eastern Cape, demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave South Africa.
Addressing PA members, McKenzie said the party would not be associated with the planned protests.
“We want nothing to do with March to March. They think people are scared of them, and we are not. They think the state is scared of them; we are not. Remember, I am part of that state,” he said.
McKenzie said he had learned from President Cyril Ramaphosa the importance of acting carefully and strategically.
“There is something that I learned from President Cyril Ramaphosa, that he is a very calculative person and doesn’t move with the wind,” he said.
He warned that any PA member involved in violence against undocumented foreign nationals would face disciplinary action from the party.
“So, I want to warn every member of the PA, if you go over assaulting illegal foreigners, we will expel you. If you want to make yourself guilty of beating up people on 30 June, the state will act. Stay away from that march,” he said.
McKenzie also cautioned that anyone involved in violence could face serious criminal consequences.
“If somebody dies there, you will be charged with murder,” he said, adding that no one should be part of “anarchy” in South Africa.