Gayton McKenzie Vows to Bring Back Death Penalty During Campaign, SA Debates PA Leader’s Promise
- Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie addressed supporters at the party's Buffalo City mayoral campaign launch in the Eastern Cape
- The Minister made bold promises on the day, including vowing that children would be compelled to join the South African army
- McKenzie's remarks drew sharp reactions on social media, with South Africans sharing varied reactions to the promises
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Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
EASTERN CAPE — Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie made a series of bold policy pledges at the party's Buffalo City mayoral campaign launch in Buffalo Flats, vowing the reinstatement of the death penalty and mandatory military service for children.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters outside KuGompo City on Sunday, 20 September 2026, McKenzie also argued that South Africa's problems stem from the removal of religion from schools. He said a PA government would reintroduce scripture as the foundation of children's education.
McKenzie pledges death penalty and army conscription
Speaking about his party's policies, the Sport, Arts and Culture Minister made several big promises.
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"Under the PA regime, we will bring back the death penalty. We will bring back God into schools. Our children will learn scripture before they learn anything else," McKenzie said.
He went further, stating that the PA would make military service compulsory.
"The PA government will make sure that children are going to the army by fire or by force," he said, drawing applause from supporters gathered at the event.
How did South Africans react?
His comments on the death penalty come amid heightened public debate around crime in South Africa, following the deaths of nine women in Ekurhuleni over nine weeks. His promises drew swift reaction on social media, with many questioning the legal and constitutional feasibility of McKenzie's pledges.
@MKgapMach wrote:
"But these are local elections. You can't change laws when you govern municipalities."
@BackToBasicxs posted:
"Guys, please do a quick Google search of what exactly it would take to bring back the death penalty before you all vote for this man. Coz ave niphapha nani."
@andries6704 pointed out:
"But he survived hanging during his criminal days."
@beekayvs noted:
"A reformed convict who benefited from the rights afforded to him by the government is saying this."
@LNtsonyana commented:
"But there are morning prayers in schools. Or am I missing the point? What needs to be addressed here is the moral fibre of SA society, which is lost outside of the school premises."
@ntsundu_ said:
"He takes everything he sees on Twitter and makes it the PA's promise for political points. We know exactly who he is."
Other stories about calls for the death penalty
- South Africans called for the death penalty after a fourth suspect was arrested for the Monswamy family murders.
- A Limpopo father received a life sentence for killing his daughter, but South Africans argued that the punishment was not enough.
- Wandile Dlamini posted an emotional Instagram video after the death of runner Elizabeth Moselakgomo, calling for the death penalty.
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Source: Briefly News
