National Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) Gwede Mantashe gestures at the end of the 54th National Conference of the ruling ANC at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, December 21, 2017. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

Home » Bosasa Exec Contradicts Mantashe’s Claims, Placing Him in Middle of Scandal

Bosasa Exec Contradicts Mantashe’s Claims, Placing Him in Middle of Scandal

African Global Executive Director Papa Leshabane has confirmed that the company (formerly known as Bosasa) did pay for security upgrades at Gwede Mantashe’s house and that the ANC Chairperson has called him “for assistance”. This – says Democratic Alliance (DA) Chief Whip John Steenhuisen – casts doubts on Mantashe’s claims in September when “Minister Mantashe categorically […]

By SAPeople
23-11-18 18:24
in Eish!
National Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) Gwede Mantashe gestures at the end of the 54th National Conference of the ruling ANC at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, December 21, 2017. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

African Global Executive Director Papa Leshabane has confirmed that the company (formerly known as Bosasa) did pay for security upgrades at Gwede Mantashe’s house and that the ANC Chairperson has called him “for assistance”.

National Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) Gwede Mantashe gestures at the end of the 54th National Conference of the ruling ANC at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, December 21, 2017. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

This – says Democratic Alliance (DA) Chief Whip John Steenhuisen – casts doubts on Mantashe’s claims in September when “Minister Mantashe categorically denied having any knowledge of who paid for the security upgrades at his house. He also, unequivocally, stated that the ANC had paid for these upgrades. This has been contradicted by Bosasa’s Leshabane.”

Steenhuisen said that if it’s true that Mantashe lied – and is therefore linked to the Bosasa scandal – then it proves the scandal implicates not only President Cyril Ramaphosa but “many other members of the ANC leadership”.

The DA Chief Whip said: “This could mean that the ANC has, for years, been using Bosasa for ‘favours’ and ‘assistance’ in exchange for government contracts valued in the billions. ”

African Global has government contracts worth billions.

The company is reported to have also paid for security upgrades amongst other benefits to ANC ministers including: Minister of Environmental Affairs, Nomvula Mokonyane; Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Thabang Makwetla; ANC MP, Vincent Smith; and former SAA Chairperson, Dudu Myeni.

Steenhuisen said: “Indeed, there is a term for companies that benefit from government contracts lavishing money and “benefits” on politicians: corruption.”

He said this is why he laid criminal charges against Mantashe, Mokonyane, Smith et al on 14 September; and why DA Leader Mmusi Maimane today referred the matter to the Public Protector.