Cape Town – The secretary-general of the African National Congress (ANC), Fikile Mbalula, has raised concerns about the timing of a report suggesting that Deputy President Paul Mashatile may be involved in corrupt activities.
The report, published by News24, alleges that controversial businessmen, including Edwin Sodi, have been financing a lavish lifestyle for Mashatile.
But Mbalula questioned why these claims are only surfacing now, considering that Mashatile has held prominent positions within the ANC for many years.
He also mentioned that Mashatile had stayed at Sodi’s luxury residence in Clifton as recently as early 2022.
“Now Mashatile must account for 20 years of a life he lived, let’s say, alongside Sodi, Mbalula and so on when he becomes deputy president. He was at Luthuli House, he was a treasurer-general of the ANC for over five years.
“Now I’m not saying anything wrong that people purport the deputy president is doing must not be reported. But where were these issues, why are they rising now? The man has been around in terms of leading the ANC,” EWN quoted Mbalula as saying during an interview with 702’s Clement Manyathela.
Mbalula said that the ANC will investigate the allegations and assess their impact on the party’s integrity through its integrity commission.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu