The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has said that it will withdraw from the Government of National Unity.

In a statement posted on Facebook this morning PA leader, and Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, said his party would withdraw from the national governing coalition next week. It would also withdraw from all other coalitions in which it sits with the African National Congress (ANC).

McKenzie said the decision was made due to the refusal by the Mayor of Johannesburg, Dada Morero, to reinstate PA deputy leader, Kenny Kunene, as a member of the mayoral committee in the city.

Kunene had stepped down after being accused of being linked to criminal networks in the city. He was subsequently cleared of wrongdoing but he has not been reappointed.

McKenzie also said that Morero refused to appoint a replacement from the PA, Liam Jacobs, to Kunene’s post, claiming that he was too inexperienced.

On Facebook McKenzie said: “We took a decision as the Patriotic Alliance leadership to give the ANC seven days to reinstate Kenny Kunene, failing to do so will necessitate a move which will cause us to withdraw from all Local, Provincial & National governments where we are in a coalition with ANC. I shall also vacate my position as Minister of Sports, Arts & Culture on Tuesday together with all deployed leaders in local, provincial & National government.”