MBOMBELA – Premier Mr David Mabuza came out guns blazing on Monday when he defended a scathing allegation against him that he was an apartheid spy from 1985 to 1993. He threatened to take legal action against his accuser, former premier of the province and former treasurer-general of the ANC, Dr Mathew Phosa.
It has been alleged that the report containing these allegations was sent to the ANC’s deputy secretary general, Ms Jessie Duarte, who allegedly shared it with president Mr Jacob Zuma, deputy president Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, secretary general Mr Gwede Mantashe and treasurer general Dr Zweli Mkhize.
Mabuza spoke out for the first time on Monday against the allegations levelled by Phosa. Mabuza said he requested Zuma to appoint a judicial commission of enquiry to investigate the matter in order for the public to know the truth. He confirmed that he took this matter to court and laid civil charges against Phosa, according to a statement released by his spokesperson, Mr Zibonele Mncwango.
In a report published by Mpumalanga News’ sister publication, Lowvelder on Tuesday, Phosa was quoted saying, “I did my duty to report this matter of public interest. I reported it, as it is tradition, to my leadership – not to the media. I was not prepared to hide these allegations from my leadership.
“I simply reported allegations of crimes committed on our soil. This is the duty of every citizen. It is the duty of our leadership to follow up on these cases. It doesn’t matter who the source is alleged to be. The message in the report suggests more information and leads to what eluded the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”
The provincial executive committee (PEC) of the ANC held a special meeting on Monday and one of the matters discussed was the continuous attack on Mabuza.
Speaking during a press briefing afterwards, he said, “I stand accused by one of my comrades, who was once the provincial chairperson of the ANC and premier of our province. I am accused in my personal capacity, and again in my capacities as the chairperson of the ANC in the province and premier of the provincial government.
“I am no longer fishing, I know who wrote this document sent to the officials at Luthuli House. According to me, Phosa is the author and distributor of this information and I will sue him for authoring this document. Since I am the premier of the province, it is my suggestion that the president must appoint a judicial commission of enquiry, government has a right to investigate me.
“Therefore, allow me to walk this road, I am definitely sure it will pay eternal peace and it will close a certain chapter in our province,” said Mabuza.
The premier has assured the public that the allegations are “pure lies” meant to tarnish his stature and distract him from his work. He said he was prepared to prove to the ANC that these unfounded allegations were nothing but innuendos. He said he had a good brotherly relationship with Phosa, but this changed when he was nominated to stand as the chairperson of the ANC in Mpumalanga.
“I guess, since then, I was never in his books. I was challenged as a premier, my term as chairperson had many challenges and I could not tell who was who in the zoo, but now it all comes together,” he said.
According to Mncwango’s response, Mabuza said he believed the people in general had confidence in him as he was elected the leader of the ANC twice.
“I don’t know how one can describe the conduct of a spy because I struggled, I was arrested and I served in the structures of the ANC. As we speak, I have united the province, except for a few detractors.
I am absolutely happy that this opportunity has presented itself, all these allegations will be cleared.
“Maybe this is the beginning of the road we must travel, I am happy to clear my name, and the integrity of the ANC which carries the reputation of leading the country. This opportunity will help a number of people who have many questions to know the truth,” said Mabuza.
According to a statement released by the provincial secretary, Mr Lucky Ndinisa, it stated, “We have noted that these personal attacks on Mabuza are as a result of him being the ANC provincial chairperson and premier of our beautiful province. He briefed the PEC on the accusations made by former Mpumalanga chairperson, who was once the premier of our province.
“As the PEC, we support Mabuza’s decision of first requesting the president to institute the judicial commission of enquiry, and to take the matter to court.
