Gayton McKenzie has compared his criminal past as an armed bank robber to that of Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) leader, Julius Malema.
The Patriotic Alliance leader, who is also the Minister of Sport, Art and Culture, shared his comments in a recent Facebook Live.
In it, he also announced that his protege, Liam Jacobs, would replace Kenny Kunene as Gauteng MMC for transport.
GAYTON ON MALEMA: ‘WE’RE BOTH BANK ROBBERS’
In a Facebook Live on Monday, 28 July, Gayton McKenzie took aim at EFF leader, Julius Malema.
He said, “Do you know what Malema and I have in common? We are both bank robbers. He was VBS. We are ex-criminal colleagues. I used to rob banks…he is robbing banks too.”
The minister is referring to allegations that Malema and his then-colleague Floyd Shivambu defrauded the now-defunct VBS Bank of millions for their own luxury lifestyle.
Gayton accused Malema of not being transparent about his finances.
“We stay in expensive suburbs. How do you afford this on [your] salary? You’re a stupid thing. You live a billionaire lifestyle, but you can’t prove how do you get your money?”, he continued.
The PA leader also took cheap shots at the EFF.
He said, “The EFF is in the ICU. They’re waiting for the day the machine is shut off. There is no politics; there is just gossip. That leader, Malema, is like an old auntie who just gossips. He doesn’t talk about his party, his policies, or what they’re going to do.”
FROM CRIME TO CABINET
In 1996, Gayton McKenzie was sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment for armed robberies.
In 2003, he was released from Grootvlei prison after exposing a criminal syndicate.
He told EWN of his criminal past: “I robbed my first bank just before I turned 16. Then I was a fully-fledged gangster. I was one of the most wanted guys.
“I already knew that I would be a criminal at the age of 8; that was my choice, and that’s how I got involved.”
Together with pal Kenny Kunene, whom he met in prison, the pair started several businesses in the mining, entertainment, and property industries.
The friends officially founded the Patriotic Alliance in 2013. Last year, Gayton was elected Minister of Sport, Art, and Culture after his party joined the Government of National Unity.
Images via Facebook; Mackenzie.Gayton
DO YOU BELIEVE GAYTON MACKENZIE AND JULIUS MALEMA ARE REFORMED CRIMINALS?
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