THE Mandela funeral taxi scandal, which saw the provincial government spend millions on T-shirts, ANC-branded umbrellas and kangas, has forced cracks in the leadership of the ANC.
Yesterday the party lambasted two of its deployees in Bhisho – Economic Affairs MEC Mcebisi Jonas and premier Noxolo Kiviet – for failing to protect Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) boss Sitembele Mase. Jonas refused to engage with his political bosses yesterday while Kiviet had not responded to calls by print deadline.
Mase was fired on Friday but only learnt about it on Monday. This followed his suspension in March after tabling a report to the ECDC board confirming that more than R22-million had been used to pay for a range of services instead of transporting mourners to the late former president Nelson Mandela’s memorial services and funeral last December.
Yesterday ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane vowed to protect Mase saying he was “going nowhere”. Mase also received support from provincial chair and Finance MEC Phumulo Masualle.
Close to R5-million was paid to a soccer boss to supply thousands of T-shirts, umbrellas and kangas, contrary to national treasury rules, which specified that taxpayers’ money for Madiba’s funeral could only be used on transport and venues.
Mabuyane said the ANC had been following the ECDC developments closely since October last year, and “several meetings” had been held between the party, Kiviet and Jonas to sort out the mess at ECDC.
Mabuyane stopped just short of calling Jonas a liar when he said the MEC had not given them a fair briefing on what was happening at ECDC.
“The MEC has not been honest with the ANC on ... how events unfolded and how he handled this matter,” said Mabuyane.
Jonas declined to comment. “If the ANC has an issue to raise with me, they will talk directly, not through the media,” he said. “I don’t have anything to say to you.”
Masualle decried the halt in disciplinary processes against Mase, saying it showed there was no substance to the allegations.
“From where I sit the so-called dismissal has nothing to do with the Mandela money, but with everything else that has been going on.
“Due process would have been followed and concluded if there was any merit to the funeral allegations,” Masualle said, adding he was now waiting for the board report.
Mabuyane concurred, saying Mase’s woes had a lot to do with him being viewed as an obstacle to people looting through the parastatal.
After hearing the news of Mase’s axing, Mabuyane sent text messages to both Jonas and Kiviet on Monday. “I called the MEC I could not find him, I sent a text message to both the premier and the MEC, trying to find out what’s happening as opposed to what he has been telling us. It was just an honest message seeking answers.” He said his party felt betrayed because the ANC had “been raising this matter with the premier and the MEC since last October. And we were assured the matter was being handled. But the board’s investigation has not even been finalised. We were all shocked and disappointed by this sudden action, which almost undermines the board’s own internal processes.” Mabuyane said Mase’s axing confirmed the suspicion that the issue was about “people looking for anything they could use against the CEO to see his back”.
“ he was a stumbling block, and caused a bottleneck for those who want to serve their own selfish interests. If the CEO was involved in any corruption, he must be arrested or investigated.
“Nothing must be hidden. we can’t allow people to be victimised simply because they block unlimited access of certain individuals to government .”
Mabuyane refused to say who those individuals were. Board chair Nomfanelo Magwentshu said the ECDC was “not in a position to comment”. — siyam@dispatch.co.za/ zineg@dispatch.co.za
ECDC fiasco reveals ANC rift
Yesterday the party lambasted two of its deployees in Bhisho – Economic Affairs MEC Mcebisi Jonas and premier Noxolo Kiviet – for failing to protect Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) boss Sitembele Mase. Jonas refused to engage with his political bosses yesterday while Kiviet had not responded to calls by print deadline.
Mase was fired on Friday but only learnt about it on Monday. This followed his suspension in March after tabling a report to the ECDC board confirming that more than R22-million had been used to pay for a range of services instead of transporting mourners to the late former president Nelson Mandela’s memorial services and funeral last December.
Yesterday ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane vowed to protect Mase saying he was “going nowhere”. Mase also received support from provincial chair and Finance MEC Phumulo Masualle.
Close to R5-million was paid to a soccer boss to supply thousands of T-shirts, umbrellas and kangas, contrary to national treasury rules, which specified that taxpayers’ money for Madiba’s funeral could only be used on transport and venues.
Mabuyane said the ANC had been following the ECDC developments closely since October last year, and “several meetings” had been held between the party, Kiviet and Jonas to sort out the mess at ECDC.
Mabuyane stopped just short of calling Jonas a liar when he said the MEC had not given them a fair briefing on what was happening at ECDC.
“The MEC has not been honest with the ANC on ... how events unfolded and how he handled this matter,” said Mabuyane.
Jonas declined to comment. “If the ANC has an issue to raise with me, they will talk directly, not through the media,” he said. “I don’t have anything to say to you.”
Masualle decried the halt in disciplinary processes against Mase, saying it showed there was no substance to the allegations.
“From where I sit the so-called dismissal has nothing to do with the Mandela money, but with everything else that has been going on.
“Due process would have been followed and concluded if there was any merit to the funeral allegations,” Masualle said, adding he was now waiting for the board report.
Mabuyane concurred, saying Mase’s woes had a lot to do with him being viewed as an obstacle to people looting through the parastatal.
After hearing the news of Mase’s axing, Mabuyane sent text messages to both Jonas and Kiviet on Monday. “I called the MEC I could not find him, I sent a text message to both the premier and the MEC, trying to find out what’s happening as opposed to what he has been telling us. It was just an honest message seeking answers.” He said his party felt betrayed because the ANC had “been raising this matter with the premier and the MEC since last October. And we were assured the matter was being handled. But the board’s investigation has not even been finalised. We were all shocked and disappointed by this sudden action, which almost undermines the board’s own internal processes.” Mabuyane said Mase’s axing confirmed the suspicion that the issue was about “people looking for anything they could use against the CEO to see his back”.
“ he was a stumbling block, and caused a bottleneck for those who want to serve their own selfish interests. If the CEO was involved in any corruption, he must be arrested or investigated.
“Nothing must be hidden. we can’t allow people to be victimised simply because they block unlimited access of certain individuals to government .”
Mabuyane refused to say who those individuals were. Board chair Nomfanelo Magwentshu said the ECDC was “not in a position to comment”. — siyam@dispatch.co.za/ zineg@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos