By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider

Leader of the Patriotic Alliance and Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture,Gayton Mackenzie, has recently been accused of being affiliated with controversial businessman, Vuzimuzi “Cat” Matlala, after the KZN Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi had probed him about drug trafficking. 

This matter was broached after a member of the Ad Hoc Committee received a letter from an inmate by the name of Jermaine Prim who claims that they are in possession of a voice recording that links McKenzie to drug dealers and illicit funds. 

“I don’t know Cat Matlala. I don’t know KT (Katiso Molefe), I don’t know what his surname is now” said McKenzie on a Facebook post. “I don’t know these people. I don’t know these big five guys. I’ve never met them” McKenzie says further. 

Both Matlala and Molefe have been named in the “big five” cartels, as they are known as a group affiliated with drug dealing and trafficking. “So all of you…I want to make it clear. I was very disappointed in general because I really really really was a big fan of him. He should’ve known to test that information before he took it there” said McKenzie. 

McKenzie also noted that Mkhwanazi never approached him or contacted him to question him on the issue at hand. 

Prim’s letter has not been fully published as Mk Party member and MP David Skosana had questioned Mkhwanazi over the contents contained in the letter, however Mkhwanazi has acknowledged that the letter constitutes evidence of hearsay. 

“I wanted to put it on record, Gayton McKenzie is not involved in drugs. I’m not involved with drugs. Jermaine has been in prison since then and then threatened the two councillors of the Patriotic Alliance in ward 17 and 18” said Secretary General of the Patriotic Alliance, Kenny Kunene after dismissing allegations of McKenzie being affiliated with drug cartels.