Gayton McKenzie vows to bring back death penalty

Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie says the party would seek to reinstate the death penalty if it comes to power.

McKenzie made the comments during a campaign visit to Buffalo City in the Eastern Cape ahead of the 4 November local government elections.

GAYTON MCKENZIE OUTLINES PA PLANS

Addressing journalists, McKenzie attributed some of the country’s problems to the removal of religion from schools.

“Under the PA regime, we will bring back the death penalty. We will bring back God into schools, our children will learn scripture before they learn anything else. The PA government will make sure that our children join the army by fire by force. We have no time to play,” he said.

McKenzie urged residents of Buffalo City to give the PA an opportunity to govern.

“You’ve given the ANC a chance and you’re still poor, you’ve given the DA a chance and you’re still poor. Give us a chance so we can show you we are also victims like yourself. We’re here to bring change to the people of Buffalo City. We are action people, we are going to bring change,” he said.

McKenzie said he was concerned about the number of young people he saw unemployed during his visit.

“We are going to create jobs, we are going to change their lives and we are going to fight crime,” he added.

PA Buffalo City mayoral candidate Graham Lottering said residents needed to change their voting patterns.

“When we go to the ballot box, this will not be a normal vote, this is going to be an eviction order that we’re going to serve to these two parties (DA and ANC)… Our people’s voting patterns have to change now to change our lives,” he said.

PA SET TO LAUNCH MANIFESTO

Gayton McKenzie said the party would officially launch its manifesto for the 4 November elections in the coming days, where he is expected to outline its plans for the next five years.

The PA made significant gains in the 2024 general elections, particularly in the Western Cape. It received 7.8% of the provincial vote and won three seats in the Western Cape legislature. The DA retained its majority with 55.3% of the vote.

The PA’s gains were particularly evident in predominantly coloured communities, where the party took support from both the DA and ANC.

McKenzie has previously said the PA intends to challenge the DA’s dominance in the Western Cape.