ANC MP Khoza declines government’s protection

ANC MP Makhosi Khoza has declined parliament and the police’s offer to assist her with security after she received deaths threats from unknown people in recent months.

Last week both police and parliament announced that would offer security to Khoza and her loved ones.

Police Minister Fikile Mbalula said that should Khoza refuse their help, the police would look at other ways of assisting her without her involvement.

On Wednesday, the outspoken MP sent out a statement on her social media and gave reasons why she would not accept the police’s security offer.

“I cannot expect my ‘executioner’ to plead mercy for me. I started receiving death threats over three months ago and I filed police reports over two months ago. I begged parliament for protection for myself and my family. This was denied to me.

“I therefore take (sp) action and sourced my own protection services. It was only when the matter was recently thrust into the public domain by media reports, were services suddenly offered. It is clear to me that I cannot accept protection from the same people that have been so reckless in their behaviour and who themselves have placed me in heightened danger,” she said.

Khoza said Mbalula and his deputy, Bongani Mkongi, had taken to public platforms to criticise her and level false accusations at her.

“Despite this I am now expected, after months of being ignored, to now accept security services from the very people who seek to challenge me. Based on the action of the minister and his deputy, I have little basis upon which to trust the protection that he has offered. I owe it to my family and myself to continue using the protection that I have already arranged and importantly, I trust. Thus, I respectfully decline the state’s offer of protection services,” she said.

Earlier on Wednesday the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal formally charged Khoza with ill-discipline for her public statements on the current state of the ruling party and her call for President Jacob Zuma to step down.

She confirmed this and and said she was consulting with her lawyers on the matter.

“This morning, Comrade Ravi Pillay telephoned me to inform me that the disciplinary hearing will take place on 10 September 2017. I am consulting with my attorney on this matter.

“In the recent past, several senior ANC officials including members of parliament, have publicly raised their concerns regarding our president. No action has been taken against those individuals. The ANC will need to explain why I am being singled out,” she said.

Khoza said she respected the processes of the ANC and would attend the disciplinary hearing.

“I do, however, have significant reservations as to the fairness I can expect of the process, considering senior leaders within the ANC have publicly called for my dismissal.” she said.

Khoza again criticised the current leadership of the ruling party.

“Our current leadership is not putting the people first. Our current leadership does not live the values of our organisation yet they choose to selectively apply sections of our organisation’s constitution to quell any voices of discontent.

“I cannot accept corruption, looting, a disregard for the people who brought us to power and the propping up of growing kleptocracy. My ANC suffocates reason, morality and ethical behaviour.”

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