THE ANC has denied allegations that its Deputy President David Mabuza and Treasurer-General Paul Mashatile have pocketed $2 million meant for Luthuli House.
The Mail & Guardian reported on Saturday that the two senior politicians received at least $2-million from donors, but the money failed to make it into the Luthuli House bank account.
The publication quoted two anonymous sources.
The ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe issued a statement on Sunday morning, saying there is “no iota of truth” to the graft allegations.
“The ANC is considering laying a complaint with the Press Ombudsman,” Mabe said.
“While the ANC has been honest and frank about its current financial challenges, it is unfortunate that some in the media chose to seize on these difficulties that confront our movement to manufacture and peddle falsehoods and to tarnish the reputation of individual leaders. We, accordingly, reject these false and baseless allegations with the contempt they deserve.”
Mabe said the ANC reaffirms “its confidence in both its Treasurer General Comrade Mashatile and Deputy President Comrade Mabuza.”
According to report workers in Luthuli House headquarters were contemplating strike action after months of financial problems.
The staff members previously said they were considering harsher action to get the employer’s attention.
Mashatile apologised when December 2019 salaries were not paid before Christmas and blamed the late transfer of funds from donors.
In July last year, the Daily Maverick reported that the ANC employed 387 staff nationally, had operational costs of R6-million and a salary bill of between R20-million and R21-million.
The ANC receives most of its income through fundraising initiatives, which contributed 67% of its income this year.
The party has recommended that public-party funding be increased.
The paper also reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa had closed his taps to Luthuli House after it was alleged that Mashatile and David Mabuza pocketed funds intended for the party coffers.
It said Ramaphosa had lobbied for close to R30m from donors between 2019 and 2020 to help the ANC.
The paper said Ramaphosa had questioned Mashatile and Mabuza about the missing funds at a meeting in February this year.
- Inside Politics
