By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) secretary general Fikile Mbalula will on Thursday morning open a case of crimen injuria against businessman Mthunzi Mdwaba.
Thuja Capital CEO Mdwaba, whose company stands accused of trying to score a quick R5-billion from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) irregularly, fingered three ANC cabinet ministers, who offered to push the deal through in exchange for a R500-million bribe.
Mdwaba implicated Minister of Labour Thulas Nxesi as the mastermind, added that at least two of the three high-ranking government intermediaries who approached him to facilitate the bribe represented the Treasury, which is under the direction of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, and the Department of Higher Education under the direction of Minister Blade Nzimande.
The ANC secretariat office under Mbalula, was also mentioned.
“The secretary general of the ANC, Fikile Mbalula, will open a crimen injuria case against Mthunzi Mdwaba at the Sandton police station. The secretary general will read out a short statement after laying the charges,” reads an ANC statement circulated on social media.
Nxesi has dismissed claims by Mdwaba of being the mastermind of the bribery scheme to secure a bribe of R500 million.
He indicated that Mdwaba had provided no facts or proof to support his claims.
Thuja Capital Fund only existed on paper, with no premises, website nor track record and Mdwaba is listed as one of its director.
The other two people listed as directors of Thuja Capital Fund are Mdwaba’s son Litha, a rapper, and Alta Roets.
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) fund is managed by the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), which means it’s effectively invested in corporate SA.
UIF devised to make a R5-billion investment with then-head of Productivity SA, Mdwaba.
The idea was that Mdwaba would invest in companies on behalf of the fund to boost employment.
The UIF would get a 19% stake in Thuja. The idea was that for the first tranche, R1.5-billion would be a loan, and R2.5-billion grant funding.