By Lungile Ntimba
Several political parties on Monday called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to dismiss or suspend Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni following confirmation by the Hawks that they have referred a docket to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) detailing allegations of fraud and corruption against her.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has demanded Ntshavheni’s immediate resignation, citing an investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) into her actions as municipal manager of Ba-Phalaborwa local municipality, involving R2.5 million in tender corruption ready for prosecution.
Failing her voluntary resignation, the DA insists that Ramaphosa relieve her of her duties.
“The NPA must proceed with criminal prosecution without delay. A Cabinet Minister under such a serious criminal investigation cannot effectively serve,” said DA spokesperson Dianne Kohler Barnard.
Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke’s findings on Ntshavheni’s financial management at the municipality during her tenure, along with allegations from senior managers, further intensified calls for her removal.
“This is another example of an ANC Minister requiring removal for corruption allegations under President Ramaphosa’s administration,” Barnard added.
ActionSA, on the other hand, has called for Ntshavheni’s suspension.
The party raised concerns about her role overseeing the State Security Agency (SSA) amid serious allegations of fraud and corruption.
Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) criticised the prolonged investigation process, pointing to delays in addressing corruption cases involving senior government officials.
The red berets cited past allegations against Ntshavheni and her association with the President, questioning accountability in previous scandals.
“For decades, Ntshaveni has been safe under Cyril Ramaphosa’s patronage as his lieutenant and has avoided accountability for her numerous scandals over the years because of her close association with the President,” EFF national spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys said.
Mathys also revealed that during Ntshavheni’s tenure as the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, she was implicated in the misappropriation of R15 million for accommodation and travel expenses, along with her predecessor Stella Ndabeni.
“Ntshavheni now sits as a Minister in the Presidency, responsible for government communications and the State Security Agency (SSA),” she added.
“She sits on the war-chest behind Ramaphosa’s political influence in the form of the SSA’s operational funds which are not accounted for, and have in the past been used to fund internal political campaigns within the African National Congress.”
Matthys added: “Ntshavheni also represents the patronage that has defined Ramaphosa’s tenure as president of South Africa, as despite all her failures and sordid corruption, she now presides over State Security with impunity, while the nation fails to combat mass shootings, human, and drug trafficking under her watch.”
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