PA expels Bonginkosi Khanyile after showing support for his 'father' Zuma

Bonginkosi Khanyile's decision to attend a rally held by the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, associated with former president Jacob Zuma, has seen him expelled from the Patriotic Alliance (PA).

According to the PA, the former Fees Must Fall leader's attendance, along with other PA supporters while donned in party regalia, was used by opponents to suggest an affiliation between the parties.

The PA denied any such affiliation and clarified that Khanyile's presence did not represent an endorsement of the MK.

Khanyile, who served as the PA's youth leader and was also its KwaZulu-Natal premier candidate, not only attended the launch for the MK party in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday, but also addressed the attending crowd.

Explaining its decision, the PA said in a statement released on Wednesday:

READ: ‘I was fired from COPE because I had the courage to lead men,’ says Makhubele

"Khanyile's actions unfortunately brought both himself and the party into disrepute, necessitating the firmest and most decisive response," the statement said.

The PA, citing a strong youth crop of leaders, assured voters that the announcement of a new premier candidate would be revealed later.

"An inspiring leader will be selected from our dedicated youth ranks to represent the PA in KwaZulu-Natal," it concluded.

READ: Thamsanqa Malinga | Whose ANC is it anyway? - Disputed legacies and mudslinging take centre stage

Khanyile refuted these claims in his own statement, stating his sole purpose was to meet with Zuma.

In an apologetic message to the PA, he acknowledged trending photos and videos depicting him at the MK event were misinterpreted as a party switch. He stressed his continued loyalty to the PA while also acknowledging Zuma as his father and wanting to show support.

"When I heard that he was going to address the MK gathering, I used this opportunity to reconnect with him as I was in the same vicinity where the event was taking place," Khanyile explained.

"I attended the gathering purely in my personal capacity to give support to my father," he emphasised.

Khanyile also expressed regret for any offense his presence caused among PA members and apologised to his president and colleagues.