Exposes the Rot: McKenzie Corruption Allegations Shady Deals Under Fire
South Africa, it’s time to wake up. The stench of corruption is everywhere in the halls of power. Forever Yena News is here to shine a spotlight on it. At the heart of the latest scandal are McKenzie corruption allegations. These are particularly related to Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, and his son Calvin Le John. Calvin Le John recently acquired top-flight football club SuperSport United for R50 million.
This move, rebranding the club as Siwelele FC, has raised eyebrows across the nation. Many are asking: how does the son of a minister, fresh into government, afford such a purchase? The McKenzie corruption allegations suggest this is more than just a family success story. It smells like a backdoor deal, and we’re not staying quiet.
The SuperSport United Controversy – McKenzie corruption allegations
Let’s start with the football deal that’s got Mzansi talking. On 3 July 2025, posts on X broke the news. Calvin Le John, McKenzie’s eldest son, led a Bloemfontein-based consortium to buy SuperSport United. They have plans to move the club. They also want to rename it Siwelele FC, pending PSL approval. Forever Yena News dug into the chatter online, and the sentiment is clear: many South Africans smell a rat. One user, @AZANIA_magwala, called it a “criminal syndicate,” while @BraHlonisky hinted at “fronting” without saying it outright. Another post by @SkepeMatsebane noted that Calvin took over his father’s “family empire.” This happened right after McKenzie joined the government. It raises questions about the timing.
While meant as a quip, it only stoked the fire of McKenzie corruption allegations, making it seem like the family is treating public office as a springboard for personal gain.
So, what’s the issue? The McKenzie corruption allegations centre on how Calvin afford a R50 million deal. He reportedly changed his surname to Le John 15 years ago to build his own legacy. Although McKenzie’s investments in publishing, entertainment, and mining are widely known, the public is curious as to whether government funds were used in any of them.
No concrete evidence confirms this yet, but the lack of transparency fuels suspicion. After all, McKenzie’s rise to Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture in July 2024 was prompt. This happened alongside his son’s sudden entry into football ownership. It happened at the same time. Coincidence? We’re not convinced.
Moreover, McKenzie’s own words haven’t helped. In a video shared by @XoliswaZondo, he made a joke. He said he’d look for a job at Siwelele FC if reshuffled from his ministerial post. While meant as a quip, it only stoked the fire of McKenzie corruption allegations. It made it seem like the family is treating public office as a springboard for personal gain. South Africans deserve clarity. How did Calvin secure the funds?Was this agreement made easier by McKenzie’s status as minister? The accusations of corruption against McKenzie will continue to cloud his term until these issues are resolved.
A History of Questionable Conduct
The SuperSport United deal isn’t the only issue raising red flags. McKenzie’s past is littered with McKenzie corruption allegations that paint a troubling picture. As former mayor of Central Karoo District Municipality from 2022 to 2023, McKenzie faced scrutiny. The scrutiny was over a glitzy Sandton gala dinner in 2022. It raised R3 million, for service delivery projects in the Karoo.
But, a Western Cape High Court ruling in 2024 ordered McKenzie to hand over documents for a corruption probe. The court also ordered a law firm linked to his Patriotic Alliance (PA), Botha E & Erasmus Y Inc., to do the same. Western Cape MEC for Local Government Anton Bredell initiated the investigation. It is examining allegations of maladministration, fraud, and corruption during McKenzie’s mayorship.
What happened to that R3 million? McKenzie claimed the funds were for personal projects. They were held in a trust account managed by the law firm. The funds were not in municipal coffers. Yet, the Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomed the court’s ruling, stating McKenzie would “soon learn that corruption does not pay off.” When Forever Yena News investigated further, we found McKenzie’s promises fell flat. He was unable to fix the swimming pools. Additionally, he did not eradicate the bucket system in Beaufort West. A Daily Maverick report revealed only one functional pool and concerns about the upkeep of newly installed flushing toilets. These unfulfilled promises add weight to the McKenzie corruption allegations, suggesting a pattern of grand claims with little follow-through.
Gang Ties and Political Funding
Beyond financial misconduct, McKenzie corruption allegations extend to his alleged ties to gang networks. McKenzie is a convicted former criminal and self-proclaimed 26s gang boss. He served eight years of a 17-year sentence for armed robbery. He was released early in the early 2000s after a prison corruption exposé.
Although his transition into a businessman and motivational speaker has received a lot of attention, there are still unanswered issues regarding his relationships. McKenzie was connected to the 2022 transfer of Jermaine Prim, a criminal from Eldorado Park. They transferred Jermaine Prim to a high-security institution. It was said that this was a gang conflict. A 2024 Mail & Guardian investigation is much more scathing. It claimed that the daughter of deceased 27s gang leader William “Red” Stevens provided funding for the PA. McKenzie refuted these assertions. However, the report’s citation of a councillor’s audio recording sustains the McKenzie corruption claims.
Given these connections, McKenzie’s fitness for public service is seriously called into doubt. How is it possible for a minister entrusted with improving South Africa’s young to have ties to gang leaders? Instead of politicians caught up in shadowy networks, the public should have leaders who are beyond reproach. The tenacity of these accusations implies otherwise, despite McKenzie’s supporters’ claims that his past is behind him. His gang affiliations and political funding are linked to the McKenzie corruption accusations. To ensure that our government isn’t tainted, they seek a comprehensive probe.
Xenophobia and Governance Controversies
McKenzie’s tenure as minister has been marred by accusations of xenophobia. These accusations, while not directly tied to corruption, indicate on his leadership. In 2024, he faced backlash for questioning Chidimma Adetshina’s eligibility for Miss South Africa due to her immigrant parents. A Department of Home Affairs investigation later found evidence of fraudulent birth registration.
This led to Adetshina’s withdrawal. McKenzie’s comments were widely criticised as anti-immigrant. In May 2025, fifteen civil society organisations condemned McKenzie’s directive to audit foreign nationals employed in his department. These organisations included the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation. They called the directive “repugnant” and xenophobic. He demanded their removal within weeks, a move lacking legal grounding and seen as inflaming hate.
These actions tie into the McKenzie corruption allegations by highlighting a pattern of reckless leadership. By prioritising divisive rhetoric over lawful governance, McKenzie undermines public trust. Furthermore, his handling of Netball South Africa (NSA) in 2025 drew fire from the DA. They accused him of shielding the organisation from governance allegations. This was done without transparency. NSA faced scrutiny over questionable expenditures, including R119,000 paid to an unidentified influencer and R2 million in consulting fees. McKenzie made a unilateral decision to clear NSA. He did so without parliamentary advice or an independent audit. This action further fuels McKenzie corruption allegations. It suggests he’s more interested in protecting allies than upholding accountability.
The Paris Olympics Fiasco
Another sore point is McKenzie’s R800,000 trip to the 2024 Paris Olympics. This trip sparked outrage when News24 published an article titled “Send me! McKenzie’s gravy train to the Paris Olympics cost taxpayers R 800 000.” The headline, later deemed misleading by the Press Council, implied McKenzie requested the trip, which he didn’t. Still, the cost itself, R1.8 million for McKenzie and his officials, exceeding the R1.3 million spent on superfans he vowed to stop, raised questions. McKenzie defended the trip. He claimed to have visited the Olympic village and gone to six meetings. He also watched rugby sevens and hockey games. The public didn’t believe him when he said he departed early to concentrate on his portfolio.
South Africans are tired of leaders who treat public office like a personal piggy bank. We demand transparency, accountability, and answers.
Gayton McKenzie corruption allegations surrounding this trip aren’t about illegality but about priorities. While communities struggle with crumbling infrastructure, spending nearly R2 million on a short Olympic jaunt feels tone-deaf. McKenzie’s transparency in disclosing expenses is commendable. Yet, this transparency doesn’t erase the perception that he’s living large while South Africans suffer. This incident adds to the McKenzie corruption allegations. It reinforces the narrative of a minister who prioritises personal or political gain over public service.
The Ntsiki Mazwai Feud
In February 2025, poet Ntsiki Mazwai accused McKenzie of corruption and favouritism. She claimed he removed her from a South African delegation to Cuba’s Artists Indaba. Mazwai stated that McKenzie replaced her with Unathi Nkayi. Mazwai’s allegations, which included insinuations of improper conduct, led to a public spat. McKenzie threatened legal action, demanding evidence of her invite from the Cubans. Mazwai later apologised, admitting her comments were “inappropriate” and caused harm. Nonetheless, her first claims, coupled with threats from McKenzie, kept the McKenzie corruption allegations in the spotlight. Fans on X speculated that Mazwai was pressured into retracting. Forever Yena News noted the public’s distrust of McKenzie’s tactics.
This feud underscores a broader issue: McKenzie’s combative approach to criticism. Instead of addressing concerns transparently, he often resorts to threats or deflection, which only deepens public scepticism. The McKenzie corruption allegations tied to this incident lack hard evidence. Nonetheless, they show a minister who struggles to keep credibility under scrutiny.
A Pattern of Broken Promises
McKenzie’s defenders point to his achievements. These include ending superfan trips and pledging his salary to a foundation for missing children, like Joshlin Smith. Yet, by mid-November 2024, that foundation hadn’t materialised, drawing criticism. His claims of fixing infrastructure in Central Karoo also crumbled under scrutiny, with Daily Maverick reporting minimal progress. These unfulfilled promises feed into the McKenzie corruption allegations, suggesting a leader more focused on optics than results.
McKenzie’s ambitions are out of touch with South Africa’s realities. These include bidding for a 2036 Olympics. Additionally, promoting spinning as a sport seems disconnected. The Mail & Guardian described his Formula One dreams as a “pipe dream.” They cited the country’s high crime rate and infrastructure woes. While McKenzie’s energy is undeniable, his priorities raise questions about whether he’s serving the public or chasing personal glory.
What South Africans Deserve
The McKenzie corruption allegations paint a troubling picture of a minister whose actions consistently raise red flags. His son’s suspicious football club acquisition raises questions. There are past financial irregularities in Central Karoo. McKenzie is alleged to have gang ties.
He has made xenophobic outbursts. His questionable governance decisions make McKenzie’s tenure a lightning rod for controversy. South Africans are tired of leaders who treat public office like a personal piggy bank. We demand transparency, accountability, and answers.
Was Calvin Le John’s acquisition of SuperSport United funded by legitimate means, or did McKenzie’s influence play a role? What happened to the R3 million from the Sandton gala? Are McKenzie’s gang connections a thing of the past, or do they still influence his politics? These questions aren’t just gossip; they’re critical to restoring trust in our government.
Forever Yena News calls for an independent investigation into the McKenzie corruption allegations. The Government of National Unity promised a new era of integrity, but McKenzie’s actions suggest otherwise. South Africa deserves leaders who uplift communities, not ones who enrich their families or allies. Until McKenzie provides clear answers, the stench of corruption will linger, and we’ll keep digging until the truth comes out.
