McKenzie Takes a Jab at Steenhuisen for Criticising Ramaphosa's Russia Remark: “Get Back to Work”

• Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie tore into his counterpart, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, who earlier hit out at Cyril Ramaphosa
• The drama began after the DA Federal Leader bashed Ramaphosa over his Russia comments during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin
• Steenhuisen strongly opposed Ramaphosa's endearing of Russia in a heated retort, spurring McKenzie to take a swipe at his counterpart

JOHANNESBURG — It was Gayton McKenzie's turn to have a go at a fellow politician and the target, John Steenhuisen.

The Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister swiped at the Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Leader and Agriculture Minister after his outcry over President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent Russia sentiments.

McKenzie berates Steenhuisen over Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa made strong assertions while in the Kremlin on a working visit to attend the 16th BRICS Heads of State Summit on Tuesday, 22 October 2024.

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He was speaking on the eve of an emerging economies summit when he notably called Russia a valuable ally and friend.

"We [consider] Russia a valued ally [and] friend, who supported [South Africa] from our apartheid struggle days," Ramaphosa told his counterpart, Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a meeting between the two.

In the aftermath, the National Unity Government (GNU) collaborator distanced itself from Ramaphosa's sentiments.

"The DA rejects this characterisation in no uncertain terms [and] does not consider Russia, or Putin, as South Africa's ally," Steenhuisen slammed.

He labelled Russia as an authoritarian regime amid the ongoing Russo-Ukranian War, which began in 2014.

Ever the vocal politician, McKenzie entered the fray, calling out his counterpart in a sharp retort after taking to his X account.

McKenzie wrote:

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"The President made a huge mistake by leaving you behind. He should have taken you with and you would have smiled and laughed with President Putin just like you did with [Chinese] President Xi [Jinping]. You are not speaking on behalf of [the] government; the President does. Now, go back to work, minister."

What you need to know about John Steenhuisen

John Steenhuisen, born on 25 March 1976, in Durban, is a South African politician at the helm of the Democratic Alliance (DA), the country's leading opposition party, since 2019.

Raised in Durban, then part of Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal), he attended Chelsea Drive Senior Primary and Northwood Boys High School, graduating in 1993. Steenhuisen married his first wife, Julie, in 2000, with whom he has two daughters.

John has been a public representative for over 20 years and has been a member of the National Assembly since July 2011. From May 2014 to October 2019, he served as the Chief Whip of the Official Opposition in Parliament before stepping in as the Interim Federal Leader of the Democratic Alliance.

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Cyril Ramaphosa praises Russia as SA's ally, Mzansi weighs in

Ndlozi bashes Ramaphosa after Mbeki snub

In related news, Briefly News reported that former President Thabo Mbeki's omission from speaking at the funeral of the late ex-Finance Minister Tito Mboweni caused much clamour.

Notably, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament (MP) Mbuyiseni Ndlozi rained down criticism on Ramaphosa and his party, the African National Congress (ANC), for the "blasphemy".

Source: Briefly News