Cape Town – ActionSA Member of Parliament Dereleen James has lodged criminal charges of intimidation against Minister Gayton McKenzie at Cape Town Central Police Station on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
James said the move follows a series of alleged threats and intimidation linked to her work probing alleged connections between the Patriotic Alliance leadership and suspected Big 5 cartel member Katiso Molefe. She told supporters on social media: “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.”
ActionSA said McKenzie allegedly threatened James by pointing out he has 24/7 security. In a Facebook Live video, he reportedly stated: “Let Dereleen and Kurt have a good time with my name. A very good time. Let them have a good time with my name. It’s okay. The path is long. The path is long. I am 24-7 with security. Outside my house now, there’s security. So I want to put it out here. I know who’s behind Kurt. It’s fine. Enjoy my name. Do what you want to do. All right.” 
The party described McKenzie’s remarks as “a direct attack on an elected public representative carrying out her constitutional duties to expose criminal capture by drug cartels in South Africa” and said the conduct must be addressed through legal channels.
James added: “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. ActionSA remains committed to upholding the rule of law.”
