PHUTI MOSOMANE
DA National Spokesperson Solly Malatsi on Thursday lodged a complaint with the Public Protector about alleged corrupt activities involving Deputy President Paul Mashatile and ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula.
He said the party is concerned about what it perceives as State Capture 2.0, where corrupt tender flows finance lavish lifestyles for high-ranking ANC officials.
“The DA has requested a thorough investigation into the allegations, including the origins of a loan received by Mbalula and the connections between Mashatile and individuals benefiting from state contracts,” Malatsi said.
“Today I officially lodged complaints with the Office of the Public Protector in relation to the alleged corrupt activities involving Deputy President Paul Mashatile and ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula.”
Outside the Public Protector’s offices, Malatsi said recent revelations have exposed troubling connections between Mashatile and individuals who have benefited from state contracts.
Moreover, allegations have surfaced regarding a loan received byMbalula which is suspected to originate from National Lotteries Commission funds.
“We believe that these allegations raise serious concerns about potential breaches of the Executive Members Ethics Act, the Constitution, and other relevant legislative provisions. Therefore, we request that a thorough investigation be conducted to determine the veracity of these claims and ascertain whether any impropriety or prejudice to state affairs or public administration has occurred,” Malatsi said on Thursday.
He said the scope of the investigation should encompass various aspects, including but not limited to:
- Whether Fikile Mbalula received a loan from Upbrand, and if these funds originated from the National Lotteries Commission;
- The nature and details of contractual agreements involving individuals and companies allegedly involved in corruption related to the National Lotteries Commission;
- Whether Fikile Mbalula, Upbrand, the National Lotteries Commission, or any other parties involved in the deal conducted themselves in a manner that is improper or resulted in impropriety or prejudice to state affairs or public administration;
- Whether Fikile Mbalula, Upbrand, the National Lotteries Commission, or any other parties involved in the deal engaged in potentially corrupt activities under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act; and
- Whether Fikile Mbalula may have breached any provisions of the Executive Ethics Code in relation to this deal, including any potential conflict of interest or improper enrichment.
Similarly, the investigation into Deputy President Paul Mashatile should explore the allegations of impropriety surrounding his lifestyle, connections with tenderpreneurs, and the use of properties linked to individuals facing corruption charges.
He asked the office of the Public Protector to examine whether Mashatile violated the Executive Members Ethics Act, provisions of the Constitution, or any other relevant legal framework.
“We firmly believe that a comprehensive investigation by the Office of the Public Protector is essential to uphold the integrity of our democracy and ensure transparency and accountability in public affairs. The DA remains committed to fighting against corruption and safeguarding the interests of the South African people,” he added.
On Wednesday, l Mashatile responded to a news24 titled “Mashatile Unmasked: The secret luxury life and state capture links of a president-in-waiting”, saying it carried much hearsay.
“The Deputy President has never awarded, influenced, or in any way caused any state or public sector contract to be awarded to the individuals and companies mentioned by News24. Nor does the Deputy President have ownership or permanent use of any properties bought by these individuals and companies. The Deputy President would challenge anyone to prove otherwise,” Mashatile’s spokesperson Vukani Mde said.
Mde said one of the most unfortunate parts of the News24 hit on the Deputy President is the gratuitous suggestion that the Deputy President is “working hard behind the scenes to ascend to the office of president”, supposedly by some underhand means.
“This is strenuously denied,” he said.
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