PA's McKenzie says he won't allow his party to be bullied by EFF leaders

CAPE TOWN - The gloves are truly off between the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) - with PA leader Gayton McKenzie making it clear he won’t allow his party to be bullied by EFF leaders.

In a wide-ranging briefing to party supporters on Sunday night, McKenzie said the PA would meet the EFF blow for blow.

The parties have been at each other’s throats for years with EFF leader Julius Malema having once referred to McKenzie and his deputy Kenny Kunene as convicts.

The EFF, meanwhile, is again suing Kunene for defamation for comments linking the party to cigarette smuggling.

McKenzie, who is the new Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, rallied his supporters behind the Government of National Unity (GNU), expressing his faith in its longevity.

“Guys, don’t listen to these people of the GNU is going to fail. There’s no such a thing.”

In a Facebook Live, McKenzie also told his supporters the party doesn’t trade in insults and will bring decorum back to Parliament.

“For too long, the EFF has done what they wanted to do in Parliament and nobody would speak back. They just insult people but we from the PA - we are not those type of people. If they are rude to us, we will be rude to them. We will never be bullied by the EFF because in the PA baiza ons nie [we are unfazed].”

McKenzie has pleaded for patience from his supporters, saying he will reveal grand plans to reform community sport within 100 days.