Gayton McKenzie Hits Back at Tertuis Simmers Over Claims That PA Used Tik to Secure George Votes

• Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie hit back at Tertuis Simmers over claims he made about the party
• The Democratic Alliance member made several claims about the party's actions during by-elections in George
• McKenzie accused Simmers of stereotyping coloured communities during an explosive video where he addressed the claims

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.

WESTERN CAPE — Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie has threatened legal action against the Democratic Alliance's Tertuis Simmers following claims that voters in George were bribed with tik and cash to support the PA in three by-elections held in early 2026.

Simmers made the remarks during a BizNews interview, alleging that the PA's by-election victories in George's Wards 16, 17, and 27 between January and February 2026 were achieved through vote-buying rather than genuine support. He noted that the DA reported the allegations to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

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McKenzie responds to Simmers' BizNews interview

McKenzie responded in a selfie-style video recorded inside a moving vehicle; the video was shared on X. In the clip, McKenzie rejected Simmers' framing of the situation as a slight against the dignity of coloured voters.

He argued that the statement amounted to a stereotype suggesting coloured communities are incapable of voting independently or making their own political choices.

The three wards in question were previously held by the DA, making the PA's victories a significant political shift in the Western Cape, particularly among coloured voters in George. The results signalled intensifying competition between the two parties in a region the DA has historically dominated.

McKenzie committed to covering the legal costs of any George voter who chooses to pursue defamation action against Simmers, framing his response as a defence of the community's right to be taken seriously as voters.

Other stories about the conflict between the DA and PA

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• The PA fired back at the DA as the party announced it would report McKenzie to the Public Protector.
• The DA accused McKenzie of cadre deployment after a probe found 19 politically connected appointees.
• McKenzie accused the DA of using the Public Protector as a political tool following the party’s latest complaint.

Source: Briefly News