Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie has vowed to take legal action against eNCA, its journalist, and correctional officials after an inmate accused him of sending mobile phones while behind bars. The allegations were made by inmate Jermaine Prim in a telephonic interview, which was conducted at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre and reported by eNCA.
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has strongly condemned the interview, stating that it was conducted without the approval of the National Commissioner. According to the DCS, media houses must formally apply for permission to interview offenders to ensure that security, legal processes, and victims’ rights are not compromised. The DCS has launched an investigation into how the interview took place, which will focus on determining the method of communication and identifying any compliance failures.
Allegations Against Gayton McKenzie
During the interview, Prim alleged that he met McKenzie through an associate, Mario “Ikit” Darzis, around 2012, and reconnected with him in 2020 after the death of Nathaniel Julies. Julies, a 16-year-old boy with Down syndrome, was shot dead by police in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg, in August 2020, sparking national outrage and renewed scrutiny of police brutality. Prim claimed that McKenzie later enlisted his help in running a social media campaign for the Patriotic Alliance’s by-elections.
Prim further alleged that he ran the social media campaign and invested quite a bit in it, which resulted in the Patriotic Alliance winning the by-election. However, the Patriotic Alliance has dismissed these claims, stating that they are baseless and made by a convicted fraudster.
Investigation and Consequences
The DCS has urged media institutions to exercise due diligence and adhere to the regulatory framework governing engagements with offenders. The department remains committed to upholding institutional security and will act decisively against any conduct that undermines the correctional system. The investigation into the interview is ongoing, and it is expected that the DCS will take disciplinary action against any officials found to have been involved in the unauthorized interview.
For more information on the Department of Correctional Services and their policies, visit the official DCS website. The Patriotic Alliance has also released a statement on their official Wikipedia page, denying the allegations made against Gayton McKenzie.
- The DCS has launched an investigation into the unauthorized interview.
- The Patriotic Alliance has dismissed the allegations made against Gayton McKenzie.
- The DCS has urged media institutions to exercise due diligence and adhere to the regulatory framework governing engagements with offenders.
