Palestinian Authority leader Gayton McKenzie and District Attorney Beverley Schafer engaged in a tense standoff at a polling station in Cape Town on Wednesday. (Theo Jepta/Netwerk24)
- Gayton McKenzie voted amid tensions with the district attorney's office.
- The PA leader was engaged in a tense standoff with the DA's Beverley Schafer.
- Find out everything you need to know about the 2024 General Election in News24's elections hub.
Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie and Western Cape deputy speaker Beverley Schafer engaged in a tense standoff at a polling station in Cape Town over the wearing of party uniforms.
Mr Schafer approached Mr McKenzie as he voted at Fanny Theron Primary School in Kraaifontein and asked him why he was wearing a PA-branded shirt.
McKenzie said the district attorney's arrogance was on full display.
Schafer, who is the district attorney's precinct leader for that area, said McKenzie was not allowed there.
“There's a Patriotic Union racket going on here. You're not registered here, you don't belong here,” she told McKenzie, adding that he could only vote where he was registered.
READ | PA reports DA to IEC for 'sedition' – DA hits back, says 'the truth hurts'
McKenzie responded: “I have three houses here. You vote where your house is. I have three houses here, my children live here. I registered here, so what's the problem? I've had my house here for 20 years. Your time is up here. It's up to you to decide what happens in the Western Cape. You decide for us. Nobody decides for us. I live here. I don't need you.”
Schafer said there was chaos inside the polling station when McKenzie voted.
“What kind of trouble have you had? How has it affected you?” asked MacKenzie.
“You are not IEC. Why are we [not] Has it been reported to the IEC? Delete it [the DA] This arrogance from the DA today. I can't stand it, Zille. If I got the electoral law wrong, I know what the IEC will do.
“I'm here voting. You guys shouldn't be here. I have 100 percent right to be here. You guys just don't know what to do,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie added that he received no guidance from the district attorney.
Constituents in the station also complained that DA party agents were telling IEC officials how to do their jobs.
Schaefer said he had received complaints of tension between officials and Palestinian Authority voters.
After the incident, Mr McKenzie interacted with voters and supporters.
Asked about the possibility of a Palestinian Authority (PA) victory in the Western Cape, McKenzie said: “Any coloured person voting for the DA is stupid. There are coloured people, black people, living in terrible conditions and we have to stop this.”
