McKenzie accuses ANC of waging silent war against his party

Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie has accused the African National Congress (ANC) of waging a silent war against his party, saying the ANC is continually trying to do in the PA in local government.

In a new social media video, McKenzie has pledged his continued allegiance to President Cyril Ramaphosa but said it's on a matter of principle that he will step down from his ministerial role on Tuesday if the party's deputy president, Kenny Kunene, is not reinstated to the mayoral committee in the City of Johannesburg.

Kunene is expected to be sworn in as a councillor once again on Friday afternoon, following his resignation two months ago amid the controversy sparked by his presence at the scene of a police arrest.

READ: Gayton McKenzie says Patriotic Alliance will withdraw from Government of National Unity, vows to resign as minister on Tuesday

McKenzie addressed supporters in a livestream this afternoon after a midnight Facebook post announcing why he would be withdrawing the party from the Government of National Unity GNU) and quitting as Sport, Arts and Culture Minister.

McKenzie said he can't expect his deployees to step back from roles in coalitions and not do the same.

"Those people are going to get less now. The speakers, the MECs. Why am I asking those people to stand back, while I'm still at the table."

He said he won't allow his party to be dictated to by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema as the parties tussle for the transport portfolio in the City of Johannesburg.

"Tuesday morning, if I don’t resign, you must never vote for the PA again."

McKenzie said only Kunene's reinstatement as Transport MMC will make him retract his decision.