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Gayton McKenzie Slams Ramaphosa Over Expropriation Bill: ‘We Were Stabbed in the Back’

Tensions are running high within South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) as Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader and Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of “stabbing the coalition in the back.” This comes after Ramaphosa signed the contentious Expropriation Bill into law on Thursday, 23 January, without consulting GNU partners.
Speaking at a Patriotic Alliance thanksgiving event in Johannesburg, McKenzie lambasted the ANC and Ramaphosa for failing to communicate with coalition partners about the signing. “President Ramaphosa disrespected us,” McKenzie said. “He didn’t even have the courtesy to call us.”
The PA leader expressed his frustration, stating, “I’m not desperate to be the minister of sports, arts, and culture – you can remove me tomorrow.” McKenzie’s fiery speech resonated with supporters as he vowed to stand firm against what he called mistreatment by the ANC.
GNU Fallout Over Expropriation Bill
The Expropriation Bill, which outlines how and when property can be expropriated, including provisions for “nil compensation,” has been a polarizing issue within the GNU. While the ANC defends the bill as the result of years of consultation and parliamentary deliberation, coalition partners such as the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus (FF+) have voiced strong opposition.
McKenzie echoed these concerns, stating that the bill, while supporting expropriation in principle, is ill-timed and risks devastating South Africa’s fragile economy. He also highlighted the contributions of some white landowners, claiming, “Not all white people stole land; some bought it fairly.”
The DA has also reacted strongly, with leader John Steenhuisen calling for a “reset” of GNU relations. The party is prepared to challenge the bill in court, claiming it undermines constitutional rights and legal certainty.
McKenzie’s Call for Unity and Khoisan Recognition
While McKenzie criticized the timing and handling of the Expropriation Bill, he urged South Africans to find common ground on land reform. He emphasized the importance of recognizing Khoisan leaders and their historical land dispossession before moving forward with expropriation policies.
“Let us hold hands and move forward,” he said. “Land dispossession didn’t start in 1652; it started when the Portuguese arrived.” McKenzie argued that land reform must address these deeper historical injustices to truly achieve fairness.
What Lies Ahead for the GNU?
The signing of the Expropriation Bill marks yet another fault line within the GNU, following earlier tensions over the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme and the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act.
As the GNU parties grapple with these divisive issues, the future of the coalition remains uncertain. For McKenzie and the Patriotic Alliance, the road ahead is clear: respect and transparency must be restored, or the coalition risks falling apart.
The Expropriation Bill’s impact on South Africa’s economy and political landscape will likely continue to spark debate, with legal challenges and public discourse shaping its implementation.
The fallout from the Expropriation Bill underscores the challenges of governing through coalitions, particularly when controversial policies are at stake. As South Africa navigates this period of political tension, the call for unity and transparent leadership remains louder than ever.
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