ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule. Picture: Nigel Sibanda
Former Free State economic development MEC Mxolisi Dukwana on Friday told the commission of inquiry into state capture that former Free State premier – who is the secretary general of the governing ANC – Ace Magashule, has always “hidden behind” the party whenever questioned about his alleged involvement in corruption.
The former MEC explained that whenever Magashule is challenged on his alleged involvement in corruption he accuses those questioning him of challenging the governing party.
Dukwana was commenting on investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh’s new book, Gangster State: Unravelling Ace Magashule’s Web of Capture, which places Magashule at the centre of state capture and details his alleged corruption and gangsterism.
Following the release of the book, the ANC rubbished claims made in a Sunday Times report, accusing Magashule of rampant corruption, ruthless gangsterism, and even exaggerating his struggle credentials.
Dukwana told the commission that he was interviewed several times by Myburgh ahead of the book’s release, which the former MEC described as “interesting”.
He said he is familiar with a number of issues, characters and events mentioned in the book which he said are “a reality that exists” in the Free State.
Dismissing the book as fake news is a refusal to face the reality, and characterising Myburgh as one advancing white monopoly capital is “a way of hiding behind racial undertones”, Dukwana told the commission.
Dukwana said he is hopeful that the commission will use Myburgh’s book and other sources of information to deal with corruption within the municipalities and government structures.
The Democratic Alliance recently stated that it looks forward to Magashule taking legal action against Myburgh and others.
READ MORE: Please take Myburgh to court so we can ‘expose’ your corruption, DA tells Magashule
Dukwan further said that there are a lot of individuals within the governing party “who are thieves, corrupt to the bone, and they are actually just besmirching the good name of many fighters of this movement”.
Dukwana on Friday also told the commission of how he was axed as MEC in February 2012 for refusing to assist Magashule in his aim of advancing the Guptas’ intention to “milk the province” of its finances and because he, Dukwana, intended to run for the chairpersonship of the ANC in the province, which was held by the former premier at the time.
The former MEC said his axing was not communicated to him by the then premier.
ALSO READ: Guptas offered former Free State MEC R2m, Zondo commission hears
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