MBOMBELA – Dirty politics in Mpumalanga is still rampant. Yesterday this became evident when Mr Jan Venter, former house manager of businessman, Dr Mathews Phosa, made shocking allegations about his involvement in a plot to discredit Phosa.
Venter, who in February stated in an affidavit that he had overheard Phosa and a business associate plan a report where they branded the premier, Mr David Mabuza, an apartheid spy, made a 180-degree turn and now denies ever hearing such conversations or witnessing such an event. The spy allegations made media headlines in November 2014 when it was reported that Mabuza was going to sue Phosa for R10 million when it was revealed that Phosa allegedly sent the damning spy report to the ANC ‘s Ms Jessie Duarte.
At a press briefing held in Johannesburg, where both Venter and Phosa were present, Venter read from notes and relayed a bizarre tale of smoke and mirrors.
He claimed that he had been used by senior politicians in the province and that his path crossed with them when Phosa laid charges against him (Venter) shortly after he left Phosa’s service.
He wanted help from the top officials in the ANC. According to Venter, a meeting was set up with the politicians after the first “spy reports” were published in November 2014. He claimed that he was asked by the men to make a statement to the effect that he had overheard discussions between Phosa and a business friend “making up” the spy allegations and compiling a report to this effect. He complied and did so in an affidavit in February.
But, it wasn’t the end of it. He admitted that he was allegedly roped in to tell on Phosa about “funding” the EFF. “I was asked, or rather told in a wat (sic) that (sic) if I ever overheard any conversations that Dr Phosa and other high-profile persons would (sic) would bank rolling the EFF, Mr Malema because they were friends. I said I could not recall such a conversation. I was told that I must think clearly because they are sure I must have heard these conversations.” Venter said a lawyer was also present during these meetings and he questioned him on everything he knew about the Phosa family. He claimed that at the same meeting he was told that the criminal charges against him “would go away”. About two months after these conversations Venter claimed that he was called by the Secret Service Agency and National Intelligence Agency which sent representatives to conduct an inquiry into the Phosa matter.
The deputy commissioner of North West, Maj Gen Jacob Tsumane, was appointed by Gen Riah Phiyega to investigate the defamation charges. Since then nothing has really happened. Venter handed out an affidavit clearing Phosa of any involvement in creating the “spy report” which also stated that he never had any insight into documents or notes written by Phosa.
The matter has already been reported to the authorities by Phosa and he said he would also give it through to the ANC structures to investigate.
