Cape Town Safety and Security Mayco member JP Smith has threatened legal action against Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie over claims linking him to organised crime.
The dispute follows a video circulating on social media in which McKenzie allegedly claimed that a high-ranking member of the 28s gang told him Smith had previously worked for slain alleged underworld figure Mark Lifman.
Smith rejected the allegations and accused McKenzie of spreading misinformation.
Smith rejects organised crime claims
In a Facebook statement, Smith said McKenzie had again attempted to defame him.
He said this was, to his knowledge, the second time McKenzie had claimed that a senior 28s gang member contacted him with information about Smith.
Smith questioned why alleged gang members would repeatedly contact McKenzie, particularly given his position as a national minister.
He argued that South Africans should be concerned if gang members allegedly responsible for violence in communities have direct contact with a government minister.
Claims follow Madlanga testimony
The latest political dispute comes days after National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams testified before the Madlanga Commission.
Adams alleged that Smith had been implicated in a plot to have him killed.
Smith has rejected claims made against him and accused his political opponents of relying on allegations instead of presenting solutions to violent crime.
The claims against Smith have not been established as fact.
Smith turns attention to PA
Smith also criticised the Patriotic Alliance while responding to McKenzie.
He referred to previous allegations involving the daughter of notorious gangster Red Williams, whom Smith identified as the PA’s secretary-general.
Smith said a PA councillor had previously accused her of distributing narcotics to help fund the party.
Those allegations were presented by Smith as part of his political response and have not been established in the source provided.
The dispute adds to growing tensions between Smith, McKenzie and Adams as accusations involving organised crime and political figures continue to surface publicly.