The Democratic Alliance (DA) has formally requested the Public Protector to investigate Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie over allegations that he breached the Executive Ethics Code through politically linked appointments and questionable public spending.
The complaint focuses on the appointment of a panel responsible for allocating nearly R110 million through the Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) programme, as well as almost R31 million spent on a departmental FIFA World Cup programme in North America.
Speaking outside the Public Protector’s offices, DA spokesperson on Sport, Arts and Culture, Leah Potgieter, said the party wanted an independent investigation into what it believes are serious concerns around accountability and the use of public funds.
“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,” Potgieter said.
According to the DA, three of the six members appointed to the 2025/26 MGE adjudication panel were active members of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), the political party led by McKenzie.
The panel was tasked with deciding how almost R110 million in funding would be distributed to artists, festivals and cultural organisations across South Africa.
The DA alleges that McKenzie personally approved the panel’s appointments and criteria, while no conflict-of-interest screening was conducted.
Potgieter argued that the programme was created to support South Africa’s creative sector, not political interests.
“The MGE was established to create opportunities for artists and grow the creative economy. It was not established to create opportunities for the Patriotic Alliance.”
The party also questioned appointments to entities that fall under the department, including the Robben Island Museum council, claiming several appointees have links to McKenzie’s political circle.
The second part of the complaint relates to departmental spending on a FIFA World Cup programme in North America.
Departmental figures referenced by the DA indicate that approximately:
- R7.9 million was spent on travel.
- R6.7 million funded a legends exhibition match.
- More than R3 million went towards match tickets.
- R10 million covered programme activities.
The DA argues that the spending is difficult to justify while many sporting federations continue to face funding shortages.
“While athletes hold fundraisers to buy plane tickets, this Minister presided over a R31 million World Cup bonanza,” Potgieter said.
Portfolio Committee Chairperson Joe McGluwa said Parliament has a responsibility to ensure public money is spent responsibly and called for a detailed breakdown of the expenditure.
The Patriotic Alliance has dismissed the complaint, describing it as politically motivated ahead of the upcoming municipal elections.
The party said McKenzie had already responded to parliamentary questions on the issues and challenged the DA to provide evidence of wrongdoing.
It also noted that previous complaints against the minister had been dismissed by both the Public Protector and Parliament’s Ethics Committee.
The Public Protector will now decide whether to launch a formal investigation into the allegations.
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