By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) has thrown its weight behind MPs who allegedly solicited bribes from the suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
Mkhwebane’s husband, David Skosana, alleged that the late Tina Joemat-Pettersson, tried to solicit a bribe on behalf of the chairperson of the Section 194 committee, Qubudile Dyantyi, and ANC chief whip, Pemmy Majodina, to make the investigation into Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office go away.
Briefing media in Johannesburg on Thursday, Mbalula said that during its meeting, the national working committee (NWC) had noted the allegations levelled against its members.
Last month, Mkhwebane released the audio recording – purportedly of a conversation between Joemat-Petterson and her husband – claiming that the late MP had tried to solicit a bribe for herself, Majodina, and Dyantyi for the trio to influence the outcome of the impeachment proceedings against her.
Mbalula said the committee had noted the recordings and that the party condemns and distances itself from any attempt to undermine constitutional processes. However, he said they were concerned by the allegations.
“The ANC views the recordings purporting to reflect statements by the late comrade Joemat- Petterson with concern. Regrettably, she is no longer in a position to explain or account for the allegations made against her.”
He added that the party was equally concerned by the “attacks” on Majodina and Dyantyi based on what he said were uncorroborated claims.
“The ANC is also concerned that the reputations of the chief whip and the chairperson of the inquiry are being subjected to attacks on the basis of hearsay evidence devoid of any independent corroboration,” he said.
Mbalula said the NWC remains confident in the pair’s leadership and supports their cooperation with the Parliamentary ethics committee and the party’s internal processes.
He passed his condolences to the family of the late Joemat-Petterson.
At the same time, Mbalula has called on the public to respect the acting public protector and her office.
This follows disruptions of acting PP Kholeka Gcaleka’s address and a University of KwaZulu-Natal event last week, by students demanding the release of the Phala Phala report.
“Respect for the rule of law is non-negotiable; for this reason, the ANC condemns, in the strongest terms, the booing of the public protector whose office is critical – as per her constitutional mandate – in strengthening democracy and the rule of law.
“We make this clarion call for the respect of the public protector and the office she occupies, at all times, as she discharges her duties.”
Public Protector office provisional report cleared President Cyril Ramaphosa of wrongdoing in the Phala Phala burglary scandal, finding that he fulfilled his obligations to declare his interests in his farms and report the matter to the police.
On the night of 9 February 2020, at least two as yet unidentified men gained access to Ramaphosa’s house at Phala Phala farm, near Bela-Bela in Limpopo, and stole an undisclosed amount of dollars stuffed under a sofa cushion.
Ramaphosa has claimed that $580 000 in cash was paid to his former farm manager, Sylvester Ndlovu, by Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa on Christmas Day in 2019. The cash was in exchange for a group of buffaloes, the president has maintained, even though more than three years later, the buffaloes remained on the farm.