Gayton McKenzie refutes claims of involvement in son's SuperSport United investment

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie said his department neither provided financial assistance nor facilitated the acquisition of the reported multimillion-rand investment by his son Calvyn Le’John in the now rebranded Siwelele Football Club.

McKenzie also said he did not use his political influence in the acquisition of SuperSport United, which will now be operating under a new name and relocated to Bloemfontein.

Le’John and his firm were recently announced as the new owners of SuperSport United — renaming the club and relocating it to Bloemfontein.

Responding to parliamentary questions from EFFs MP Eugene Mthethwa and Mandla Shikwambana, McKenzie gave his response as “no” when asked if the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and entities provided funding, logistical support, and regulatory facilitation to the club or Le’John in connection with the purchase and club’s establishment.

“DSAC has played no role whatsoever,” he said when asked about the role his department played in facilitating the reported R400 million investments in the football club.

However, McKenzie said he was aware of his son’s plans to acquire a Premier League team and rebrand it in the style of Bloem Celtic or Siwelele.

“I was aware that he was negotiating with two club owners. I was not privy to the nitty-gritty of the transaction and was impressed to learn that he and his team had closed the purchase of SuperSport United Football Club with MultiChoice,” he said.

McKenzie said he was no longer involved in business because he was focused on his role as a minister.

“I was naturally aware of and supportive of his plans, as any parent would be of a son they are proud of, but he was at all material times the driver of this process.

“My son and his advisers, together with the staff of SuperSport United FC, are leading the affairs of the club. My role is as a supporter, and he is well aware that I cannot play an active role in the management of the company.”

The minister stated that his family was working on returning “Bloemfontein Celtic” to the Premier Soccer League.

“Were I not a minister, I would have certainly wanted to be involved in the acquisition, but I ensured that I stopped being involved in business dealings to devote myself fully to my role in Cabinet when I became a minister.”

He explained that his former assets were now managed by his family and their staff, which was a legal and declarable financial interest.

“I have declared my interests every year in the register like all ministers and parliamentarians, and will ensure that the register is updated as soon as legally possible. I certainly did not bring any political influence to bear over the rebranding of Siwelele Football Club, nor was it required.”

McKenzie said there was never any attempt by anyone to hide the fact that his son was the purchaser.

“I am not the kind of man who denies his children, and I might add that I am proud of my son for making his own mark on the world and being a shrewd businessman in his own right. He has every right to live his own life, make his own choices, and even make mistakes, and be judged as his own man. That is all I ask we all do for him as a mark of basic respect.”

McKenzie noted that there was a highly regulated environment in investments in professional football and that his son’s transaction was given approval by internal audit teams after full legal and accounting rigour.

He said the Public Finance Management Act can oversee the public funds in football investments.

“Financial Intelligence Centre Act can also be used to monitor transactions involving politically exposed persons, including the family of Cabinet members,” he said.

McKenzie was asked about mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in large-scale private investments in professional football, particularly when those involved have familial ties to members of the Cabinet.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za