Gayton McKenzie and Liam Jacobs clash in heated exchange over NAC appointment and party politics

What started as a debate over political appointments escalated into a war of words this week, with Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie accusing DA MP Liam Jacobs of disrespectful conduct and veiled political bias.

The clash was triggered during a parliamentary committee meeting where Jacobs questioned McKenzie’s decision to appoint Eugene Botha—a fellow member of the Patriotic Alliance (PA)—as chair of the National Arts Council (NAC).

Jacobs also claimed that McKenzie had previously removed PA members from Parliament, a charge the minister flatly denied, calling such an action a “thuggish act.”

“We must investigate whether there is actual ethics that can be found in this. We must investigate the potential of conflict of interest,” Jacobs said. “I want to understand his understanding as to why a member of the PA became the chair of the board, being a member of the PA while he, as a minister, is a member of the PA. What is the rationale?”

McKenzie asserted the appointment was lawful and rejecting Jacobs’ concerns as a political attack cloaked in moral language.

“Jacobs knows that I haven't breached any act or law, hence he's talking about ethics. My ethics and his ethics are different. Ethics are debatable. Some people say it’s ethical to have an abortion, other people say it’s unethical. We are not dealing with what he feels and what I feel. He admitted that the Act allows me to appoint Eugene Botha,” McKenzie said.

He went further, pointing out what he sees as hypocrisy in Jacobs’ criticism.

“Two, he talks about my party membership. I'm going to give him a name: Tim Harris. Tim Harris was previously a member of the DA. He served as a DA member of the National Assembly. He held other DA-related positions. He was the CEO of Wesgro. Now he mustn’t come here and say it has never happened where a party member is part of a board. Our constitution does not disallow you from becoming a member of a board. Our constitution is very clear—political affiliation is your right.”

Tensions escalated as Jacobs pushed for clarity on whether McKenzie saw a potential conflict in leading the panel that appointed Botha.

“Chairperson, I would like to ask the minister: does he contend that there might be a conflict of interest between himself, the person leading the interview panel, and the chairperson of the board?” Jacobs asked.

McKenzie dismissed the notion, calling it "laughable". “Does knowing someone equate to conflict of interest? That is laughable. I know him. I know you. Knowing someone does not equal conflict of interest.”

The argument quickly turned personal and combative.

“What I will never allow is for this honourable member to speak when I'm speaking,” McKenzie said, referencing Jacobs' interruptions.  “On a personal level, I want him to know that when he showed Danny Jordaan his finger, I will never allow him to do that to me. I respect you; respect me. When you speak, I am obliged to listen, and when I speak, you should listen. You should not come in as you feel. You can only interject with a point of order through the chairperson.

“I've breached no act. The PA is not the first party and certainly will not be the last party to do that. Your party in the Western Cape is riddled. When you say I've done something wrong, quote the act, not your feelings.”

When Jacobs interrupted again, McKenzie erupted.

“There he goes again. He already called us dictatorial. Does he know anything about the Patriotic Alliance? I, as the leader, must sit here and listen to a man whose party has the majority of coloured people but doesn’t have one coloured minister—and you are talking dictatorship?

“Keep to the stuff of the portfolio committee. Don’t come to politics. Jy gaan laaste kom [You will be last]. Don’t come here with what they have written down for you to ask me. Come with facts and come with proof of what you are saying. You are speculating."

IOL