The Patriotic Alliance (PA) took a stern stance on Wednesday by announcing the expulsion of Bonginkosi Khanyile, who served as its premier candidate for KwaZulu-Natal and leader of the youth wing. The decision came in the aftermath of Khanyile’s unauthorized attendance at a rally organized by the newly formed Umkhonto we Sizwe party.
In an official statement, party leaders Gayton McKenzie and Kenny Kunene explained that Khanyile’s dismissal was a direct consequence of his appearance at the event, where he shared the stage with former president Jacob Zuma, a vocal supporter of the Umkhonto we Sizwe party.
During the event, Zuma publicly endorsed Khanyile, stating in isiZulu that he would campaign alongside them in the upcoming year. However, this move did not align with the PA’s internal protocols, leading to Khanyile’s expulsion.
Prior to the official announcement, Khanyile responded to circulating videos of his participation in the Umkhonto we Sizwe event. In a video shared on social media, he asserted his right to attend any party event without seeking prior permission, expressing irritation at those sharing the videos.
However, within hours, Khanyile issued an apology through an official PA banner, clarifying that his attendance was in support of Zuma, whom he considers a father figure. He emphasized that this did not signify an affiliation with Umkhonto we Sizwe. Despite the apology, the PA maintained that Khanyile’s actions constituted a dismissible offense.
In the official statement, the PA acknowledged Khanyile’s apology but underscored the gravity of the situation, stating that his appearance at the rival party’s event had been exploited by detractors to falsely imply an affiliation between the PA and Umkhonto we Sizwe.
Consequently, the party deemed Khanyile’s actions detrimental to both himself and the PA’s reputation, necessitating a firm and decisive response. The PA pledged to announce Khanyile’s replacement soon, citing a robust pool of youth leaders to choose from.