DA asks Public Protector to probe Gayton McKenzie over MGE and R31m World Cup spending

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has asked the Public Protector to investigate Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie over allegations linked to the allocation of nearly R110 million through the Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) programme and almost R31 million spent by the department on a FIFA World Cup programme in North America.

Complaint lodged with Public Protector

The DA formally lodged the complaint on Thursday, asking for an independent probe into what it called a pattern of political patronage and questionable spending. The party alleges breaches of the Executive Ethics Code, abuse of power and appointments that improperly benefited members of the minister’s political party.

Allegations over Mzansi Golden Economy panel

The complaint centres on the appointment of an adjudication panel for the 2025/26 MGE programme. The DA alleges that three of the six members appointed to the panel were active members of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), the party led by McKenzie, and that the panel allocated nearly R110 million to artists, festivals and cultural organisations.

The DA also alleges that McKenzie personally set the panel criteria and made the appointments without conflict-of-interest vetting.

Questions over World Cup spending

The second part of the DA’s complaint relates to the department’s FIFA World Cup programme in North America. The DA cited departmental figures showing expenditure of about R7.9 million on travel, R6.7 million on a legends exhibition match, more than R3 million on match tickets and R10 million on programme activities, totaling almost R31 million. The minister has previously said the programme benefited 151 people.

Calls for accountability

Speaking outside the Public Protector’s offices, DA Sport, Arts and Culture spokesperson Leah Potgieter said the party wanted scrutiny of whether McKenzie had violated his oath. She said:

“A Minister’s oath is not ceremonial. It is a promise to South Africans that public power will be exercised honestly, diligently, in good faith and in the interests of the country.”

Joe McGluwa, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, said Parliament must ensure accountability. He was quoted:

“Oversight is not optional. It is our duty as members of parliament to ensure that every rand is spent wisely,”

and said the committee wanted a clear itemised breakdown of the R31 million spending.

Patriotic Alliance response

The Patriotic Alliance dismissed the DA’s complaint as politically motivated and said the allegations were recycled. The party said McKenzie had answered parliamentary questions on the matters and challenged the DA to produce evidence of wrongdoing. The PA also noted that the minister had previously been cleared in complaints lodged with the Public Protector and Parliament’s Ethics Committee.

What the DA is asking the Public Protector to examine

• Whether McKenzie failed to exercise his powers honestly and diligently.
• Whether he acted inconsistently with the integrity of his office.
• Whether he improperly benefited others or placed himself in a conflict between ministerial duties and party interests.

The DA has submitted a dossier to the Public Protector and is seeking an independent investigation into the allegations.