Mathews Phosa unfazed by a bomb scare at his Mpumalanga law office

“As a former commander I am not intimidated. I will intensify my campaign in that province [Mpumalanga]. There won’t be a no-go area for me and my teams,” is how ANC presidential hopeful Dr Mathews Phosa reacted to Friday’s bomb scare at the premises of the law firm where he is a partner.

Police confirmed that no bomb was found at the local law firm Du Toit-Smuts & Partners. This after the law firm received four anonymous calls that there was a bomb in their premises.

The bomb squad on the scene carefully opened a suspicious package after three police dogs alerted them to it. The package was taken out onto the road where a bomb technician carefully checked the contents.

The incident has left the former ANC secretary general unshaken as he regards the incident as scare tactic aimed at derailing his campaign.

“This is an outrageous threat to human life. Two days after our successful launch of our campaign in the heart of Mpumalanga. The police must go deep into this matter. Why must poor workers be threatened. This is clearly political and it is sick. Why do they fear from our campaign,” Phosa told The Citizen.

He described the threat as “desperate measures by desperate corrupt murderous hooligans.”

Phosa was, however, sympathetic to communications minister on the current debate of why the candidate SABC board members credentials should be vetted, saying the SABC is important for democracy.

“We must give the minister [Ayanda Dlodlo] space to apply her mind and make a considered decision. We don’t want a repeat of the previous embarrassment where board members had lied about qualifications,” he said.