Allegations of links to organised crime and the drug trade have resurfaced in Parliament, prompting calls for formal investigations by opposition parties. While the claims remain unproven and have been vehemently denied by McKenzie and the PA, they have ignited intense debate about political funding, past criminal ties, and accountability in government.
The Allegations: What Is Being Claimed?
The latest wave of accusations centres on a letter and an unauthorised prison interview by Jermaine Prim, a convicted fraudster currently serving a sentence for scams and theft. Prim alleges that McKenzie is connected to major drug syndicates, including a group referred to as the “Big Five” cartel, and specifically names figures such as Katiso “KT” Molefe and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Key claims include:
- McKenzie allegedly sells Mandrax (a popular illicit drug) in Cape Town, supplied by cartel members.
- McKenzie smuggled two cellphones into prison for Prim to manage the PA’s social media and ground campaigns ahead of by-elections.
- Prim claims to possess voice recordings, bank statements, and emails showing McKenzie’s involvement in drug money and outstanding debts related to these activities.
- He further alleges that the PA was partially funded by “wh powder” (a reference to drug proceeds) and that McKenzie acted as a “proxy” for the Big Five.
- Prim says he was transferred to C-Max (a high-security unit) after McKenzie learned of the recordings linking the minister to drug dealers and illicit funds.
These details surfaced dramatically during a sitting of Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, where uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party MP David Skosana questioned KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi about the letter. Mkhwanazi described the evidence as hearsay but confirmed the matter had been noted. A leaked voice recording of a Johannesburg-based PA ward councillor has also circulated, alleging that the PA runs drug businesses and that she was taken to a drug house linked to a senior PA leader, with video evidence supposedly available.
Chinelle Stevens: From Cape Flats Background to Secretary General of the Patriotic Alliance https://t.co/6FoRdBfRGe
— WesternPulse (@WesternPulse88) April 3, 2026
Meet Chinelle Stevens
— Crime Fighter (@Goolamx) April 3, 2026
The SECRETARY GENERAL of Patriotic Alliance and daughter of the Slain 27 gang leader Red Stevens who sold Mandrax and Crystal (tik) in Cape Town.
He is also the Funder and cofounder of the Patriotic Alliance. pic.twitter.com/0Xg5Svf50m
McKenzie and the PA Respond: “Categorically False” and Politically Motivated
McKenzie has dismissed the allegations outright, describing them as an “old story” that resurfaces every election cycle. In public statements and media appearances, he insists:
- He has never met or associated with the named cartel figures.
- He “hates drugs with all [his] heart” and has no involvement in the trade.
- Prim is a “madman” and a convicted criminal whose claims are baseless.
- He has offered to take a lie-detector test and stated he would rather resign than be suspended over unproven accusations.
The PA has labelled the claims “all lies,” with Deputy President Kenny Kunene and national spokesperson Steve Motale condemning them as reckless and defamatory. The party has announced plans to take legal action against Prim and the media outlet that broadcast the prison interview. McKenzie has acknowledged limited past phone contact with Prim but denies any deeper relationship or criminal activity.
McKenzie has openly admitted to his pre-political criminal past — including armed robbery convictions for which he served time as a member of the Numbers Gang — but draws a firm line at drug-related accusations.
Political Pressure Mounts: Calls for Investigations
Some political parties within South Africa has taken the strongest public stance, issuing a formal call on 1 April 2026 for urgent probes. They are writing to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Hawks, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) for lifestyle audits on McKenzie and senior PA leaders, and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) regarding compliance with the Political Party Funding Act.
The claims are described as “explosive” and linked them to broader concerns about organised crime infiltrating politics. Other parties, including ActionSA and the DA, have raised separate issues around alleged intimidation by McKenzie during parliamentary exchanges tied to these matters.
Context and Ongoing Scrutiny
McKenzie rose to prominence as a reformed former criminal who founded the PA, a party that has gained traction in coloured and working-class communities with a strong anti-crime and anti-drug message. However, past media investigations have alleged financial links between the PA and individuals connected to gang figures, claims the party has consistently denied.
No charges have been filed against McKenzie, and police have not confirmed any active investigation into the specific Prim allegations beyond noting them as hearsay. The minister remains in his cabinet position as part of the Government of National Unity arrangements.
What Happens Next?
The allegations, while serious, currently rest on the testimony of a single convicted inmate with no independently verified evidence presented publicly. McKenzie and the PA insist this is a smear campaign aimed at discrediting a rising political force. Critics argue that, given the gravity of claims involving a sitting minister and potential drug-related organised crime, independent investigations are essential for public trust.
South Africans are watching closely. In a country battling high levels of drug-related violence and gang activity — particularly in the Western Cape — any perceived links between politics and the underworld demand transparency and swift answers.
This story is developing. Further updates may emerge from parliamentary processes, legal actions, or official probes.
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