By Mapaballo Borotho
- Dereleen James has opened a criminal case against Minister Gayton McKenzie, alleging intimidation and threats.
- The dispute stems from her questioning during a parliamentary inquiry into alleged cartel links.
- McKenzie denies the allegations, while ActionSA says James was exercising her oversight role.
ActionSA Member of Parliament Dereleen James, has laid criminal charges of intimidation and threats against the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie.
James opened the case on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, at the Cape Town Central Police Station.
This follows a series of alleged intimidation tactics and threats issued and allegedly spurred on by Minister McKenzie towards Dereleen James.
The threats were reportedly influenced by her questioning, during the Ad-hoc Committee into alleged links between the leadership of the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and the alleged “Big 5 cartel” member Katiso Molefe.
McKenzie accused James of spreading lies about him during a live stream on social media, but has denied making threats.
“Attempts to intimidate me will not stop me from probing every possible link to the drug cartels destroying our community.
Attacks on me as an MP carrying out my constitutional duties to expose criminal capture by drug cartels in South Africa are unacceptable and will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
South Africans expect me to fight for them and the daily threats I receive, including attempts by a Minister to intimidate me, will not stop me,” said James after opening the case.
Meanwhile, ActionSA says James was well within her rights to ask such questions, adding that McKenzie and the Patriotic Alliance have a background that raises questions when such remarks are made.
Last year, PA’s deputy president, Kenny Kunene, was forced to resign from his position as the MMC for Transport and Roads in the City of Johannesburg in the wake of allegations linking him to Katiso Molefe, a suspect in the murder of popular musician DJ Sumbody.
READ NEXT: Gayton McKenzie suspends Kenny Kunene amid murder investigation
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