Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has made white privilege claims against the Democratic Alliance DA in the controversy around Andrew Whitfields axing as Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister.
The DA has reacted strongly to President Cyril Ramaphosa s decision to sack Whitfield for failing to obtain the Presidents permission prior to travelling to the United States in February.
Addressing the National Assembly on Thursday 26 June, DA leader John Steenhuisen accused Ramaphosa of double standards.
He cited several African National Congress ANC ministers and deputy ministers, such as Thembi Simelane, Nobuhle Nkabane and David Mahlobo, who he claimed had been implicated in alleged wrongdoing but remained in their positions.
The DA therefore call on the President to fire Simelane, Nkabane, Mahlobo and other ANC ministers and deputy ministers implicated in corruption within the next 48 hours. If they fail to do so, the ANC will inflict grave consequences on South Africa, he said.
Gayton McKenzie on Andrew Whitfields axingHowever, McKenzie criticised the DAs response in a post on X on Friday. White privilege makes you think you don't need permission as a minister to travel, he wrote.
When called out and action taken, same white privilege will point to matters that has sic nothing to do with seeking permission. We were informed about travelling protocols during induction and no one protested.
In a separate post , the minister added, The Great Nelson Mandela fired the Great Winnie Mandela for not getting permission to leave the country when she was a deputy minister.
Many who are complaining now that Andrew Whitfield is being fired were clapping hard when Mandela fired Winnie.
McKenzie leads the Patriotic Alliance PA, which is in the government of national unity GNU alongside the DA. The two parties are often rivals in local government by-elections, especially in the Western Cape.