Presidency distances itself from Minister Gayton McKenzie's pro-ICE comments
Presidency had distanced itself from Gayton McKenzie’s pro-ICE remarks, saying they reflect his views as a political party leader.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
The Presidency has distanced itself from the comments made by Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, in which he expressed support for the United States’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
McKenzie made these remarks in an interview with SportsBoom.co.za, where he said, “Viva ICE!” and expressed his agreement with Trump’s hardline immigration approach.
“I totally agree with ICE,” McKenzie said. “We must do the same here with what they’re doing there. I cannot criticise something that I want in my own country.”
McKenzie also dismissed calls for South Africa to boycott the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States and Mexico in June.
“If you want to go to the World Cup and you have a visa, what problems do you have? If you go through the proper processes of attaining a visa, you will be fine. I won’t be politically correct — viva ICE! I agree with Donald Trump.”
He further ridiculed those advocating for a boycott, calling them “suffering from cow disease” and warning of “severe repercussions for South Africa” if the country chose to boycott the tournament.
“We would be banned from international football,” McKenzie added.
These remarks come amid rising concerns over the safety of South African nationals attending the World Cup in the United States, particularly due to the controversial practices of ICE.
The agency has faced heavy criticism, especially after at least four detainees died in its custody in 2026 alone.
This includes the high-profile death of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on January 7, which made headlines.
McKenzie’s comments came just days after a South African national was arrested in the United States by ICE as it was discovered he was in the country illegally.
Despite McKenzie’s bold assertion that “we will win the World Cup” and his defense of ICE’s actions, the South African government was quick to clarify that these views do not represent official state policy.
In a response to IOL, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya explained that McKenzie’s comments should be viewed in the context of his position as a political party leader, not his official capacity as a government minister.
“Minister McKenzie leads his own political party. Not everything he says is in his official capacity as a government minister,” Magwenya said.
He further emphasised that the Presidency is not obligated to comment on every statement McKenzie makes in his political capacity, adding, “We do not have to comment on everything he says as a political party leader.”
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
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