DEPUTY President David Mabuza said on Wednesday he was not aware of any investigation against him related to the Mpumalanga land deals during his tenure as premier.
This comes after the arrest of ANC MP and former State Security minister Bongani Bongo and 10 others appeared briefly in court for alleged fraud and corruption in connection with land deals to the tune of R124 million.
Several media reports alleged that Mabuza was involved in the theft, fraud and money laundering that is said to have taken place during 2011 and 2012 in the Mpumalanga province.
The reports alleged that Mabuza, Bongo and Ambassador Siphosezwe Masango were being investigated for fraud and corruption in Mpumalanga, where Mabuza was the premier.
The reports said the investigation relates to the human settlement department where Masango was the MEC.
But his office denied the allegations on Wednesday.
“Whilst the Deputy President confirms that the reported alleged events, fall under the period that he was serving as the Premier of Mpumalanga, he would like to categorically deny any involvement and condemn any attempt to drag his name in any form or capacity into the criminal conduct under investigation,” said Mabuza’s spokesperson Matshepo Seedat.
“The Deputy President is not aware of any investigation on him as alluded to in the media, but would co-operate with law enforcement agencies should there be questions that need his response as a person who was responsible for the Province at the time, as the Premier of Mpumalanga.”
Seedat added that the deputy president was willing to cooperate with law enforcement should there be questions that needs to be responded to.
“The Deputy President appeals to the public to allow the law to take its course without any hindrance, and should extend their support to our law enforcement agencies in carrying out their work by providing them with any evidential information that they might be aware of in order to expedite the investigation process.”
Mabuza also welcomed the progress made by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) into the Mpumalanga human settlements land procurement issue.
Bongo and 10 others – Robert Burwise, Patrick Chirwa, Harrington Dhlamini, Blessing Mduduzi Singwane, David Dube, Sipho Bongo, Vusi Magagula, Bongani Sibiya, Elmon Mdaka and Sibongile Mdaka – appeared before the Nelspruit magistrate’s court on charges of corruption, fraud, theft, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.
The allegations are in connection with the R37.5m sale and purchase of a farm in Naauwpoort, Emalahleni, by the Mpumalanga department of human settlement, ostensibly on behalf of Emalahleni municipality, according to the National Prosecuting Authority’s Sipho Ngwema.
Ngwema said the real owner of the farm, Petrus Johannes Van Tonder, was paid only R15m for the farm from the R37.5m and the money was paid into the trust account of Singwane Attorneys, in their capacity as the conveyancer appointed by the department.
Van Tonder paid R1.5m commission to Pam Golding as estate agents for the transaction and Singwane, not instructed by the department, paid R22.5m to Little River Trading, which, Ngwema said, enabled the accused to successfully steal the money.
In another transaction, Bongiveli entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Fremax Farms for a portion of Rietspruit, for R10.5m.
According to the NPA, the accused in the case allegedly exploited purchase of land by government by misrepresenting facts to the department regarding ownership and the true sale of price of the farm.
After appearing in court, Bongo told the media he did not participate in any corrupt activities as alleged.
“I am not corrupt, Bongo said outside court,” Bongo said outside court.
“At the end of these two cases, I will talk to you about who is doing this and why he is doing this,” said Bongo.
(COMPILED BY INSIDE POLITICS STAFF)
