By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GCIS.
Former State Security Minister David Mahlobo has denied receiving R21 million that was allegedly set to bribe judges.
Mahlobo told the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture that the allegations had been made to further political interests.
The things said to implicate me by the witnesses are just claims; the three witnesses are on record telling the commission that they don’t have evidence. It’s hearsay. They said I took money; if someone takes money there must be a paper trail. My signature is not there,” said Mahlobo.
Evidence leader advocate Paul Pretorius read from ‘Dorothy’s affidavit; apparently she went to Mahlobo’s home office and counted R4.5m.
He denied receiving a cash amount of R4.5m from ‘Dorothy’.
Mahlobo asked the commission not to ask him information since he had only received that particular document that morning, and had not had time to go through it.
In another affidavit there were allegations that Mahlobo boasted that he reported directly to former President Jacob Zuma. However, Mahlobo said the statement was false and he denied the allegations.
Pretorius continued about a witness named Frank who claimed that cash taken from the CDSA was delivered to Mahlobo and he instructed for it to be allocated to different projects, and another about money Mahlobo allegedly gave to the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL).
“I was not involved in any projects. I deny that he came to deliver cash and that I gave him money for the ANCWL, “said Mahlobo.
He denied receiving money in paper bags to pay judges. He further said there were many men and women who worked hard at the intelligence agency, but unfortunately there were also those that were not good, like this one.
“I deny that. No payment was made to pay judges. This is a serious allegation, said Mahlobo.
Mahlobo also took a swipe at acting SSA director-general Loyiso Jafta, saying he was part of the plot against Mahlobo.
He said it would do the inquiry good not to listen to all claims made against him in testimony because “they are incorrect”.
“They do not have a shred of evidence. All of them, those three who appeared here, told you hearsay. At the end when they told you they do not have evidence, as a fall-back position, they say Project Veza is not complete.
I deal with facts, not fiction, and I can tell you they never gave you evidence. They say I took money, but if someone takes money there is paper trail and you do not have my signature there.”
Mahlobo insisted he was never involved in operational matters during his time as minister.
The only exception would be those times when he was called upon to intervene to get responsible people to resolve an impasse.
Meanwhile the testimony of Norma Mngoma, estranged wife of former minister Malusi Gigaba, has been moved to next week and she claims Gigaba doesn’t want her to speak about his relationship with the Guptas.