‘We have no crisis’ Gayton McKenzie says MP resignations are part of local elections preparations

PA leader Gayton McKenzie. Picture: Khaya Ngwenya

PA leader Gayton McKenzie. Picture: Khaya Ngwenya

Published Nov 9, 2024

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Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie says all party MPs who resigned from Parliament are part of a larger strategic move ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

Four PA members including the youngest-ever MP Cleo Wilskut, Katrina de Bruin, Gavin Jonas, and Stacey-Lee Gaby Khojane have resigned as MPS after serving less than five months in office.

Parliament also confirmed that the resignations have been processed.

McKenzie took it to X to clarify the matter after speculations emerged that the members were not happy.

He maintained that this was a part of their plan to emerge victorious in the upcoming local elections.

“All card-carrying members of PA have been aware for weeks that we have asked half our MPs to resign and a lot of our councillors.

“We are preparing for 2026 and this is all part of our strategy. We have no crisis, we have disciplined members that heeded the call of NEC,” he said.

He further explained that the members who have resigned will receive their salary but this time paid by the party.

“The party will be paying them going forward because most of them will be doing party work, we can’t destroy people and call ourselves a caring party,” he said.

Party member Patrick Sindane also confirmed that these were not forced resignations.

“I can confirm, we have been taken through, and so are the affected individuals, these are not forced resignations,” he wrote on X.

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