New York Times article says Mabuza ‘undercuts New Dawn’ more than anyone else

The article offered a long background of Mabuza’s history and rise to power, focusing initially on his control of Mpumalanga and particularly its education system, “where millions of dollars for education have disappeared into a vortex of suspicious spending, shoddy public construction and brazen corruption to fuel his political ambitions, according to government records and officials in his party”.

The article referred to his election as deputy president as “an odd choice, especially at a time when the ANC is desperate to purge its reputation for graft and restore its image as the rightful heir to Mr [Nelson] Mandela’s legacy”.

They report that Mabuza allegedly siphoned off vast amounts of money from schools and other public services over the years to “buy loyalty and amass enormous power, making him impossible to ignore on the national stage and putting him in position to shape South Africa for years to come”.

The article also mentioned allegations of nearly 20 political assassinations in Mpumalanga under Mabuza, “some after exposing graft in public works projects”. Many people the NYT spoke to expressed their fear of him and the political climate in general.

They quoted senior ANC member Fish Mahlalela alleging Mabuza gained power not through political ability but “out of money and the manipulation. Nothing else.”

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The article singled Mabuza out as undercutting South Africa’s “new dawn” more than any other person, but also criticised the ANC as a whole.

“Under the ANC, Mr Mandela’s once heralded liberation movement, tens of billions of dollars meant to lift poor black South Africans have been stolen by party leaders.

“Mr Mabuza, who declined to be interviewed, built his political career on the schools.”

‘Reluctant to face reality’

The article threw light on allegations that Mabuza’s early control over education offered him access to funds he could use to gain power, influence and personal wealth.

Despite billions spent on schooling, South Africa’s education outcomes have remained appalling, with most children in other African countries – almost all of them less wealthy – greatly outperforming South Africa’s pupils in literacy and mathematics.

Since Ramaphosa owes his election victory at Nasrec in December to Mabuza, analyst Ralph Mathekga was quoted as saying that Mabuza now holds enormous power and remains only one step away from becoming president.

“We are being reluctant as a nation to face the reality of Mabuza,” he was quoted saying. “If Ramaphosa gets hit by a bus, Mabuza is going to be the president.”

In 1997, Mabuza was allegedly at the heart of Mpumalanga’s “first big scandal of the democratic era” when the school pass rate inexplicably improved to 72%, but an investigation later showed it was only 53% – and the numbers had allegedly been doctored inside Mabuza’s home.

Mabuza never admitted wrongdoing and was never made to account for it after the investigation was not completed. He was simply dropped as the education MEC and became the housing MEC for Mpumalanga instead.

When he became premier in 2009, he concentrated decision-making powers for key provincial projects in his own office, allegedly to loot funds – though Mabuza himself said it was being done to speed up service delivery.

The article alleges that on Mabuza’s farm in Barberton “his power was on full display, current and former ANC officials said. He received contractors and took his cut before projects were awarded, they said. Those who refused to participate often faced exile.

“He always had money in his house,” added Collen Sedibe, a one-time Mabuza ally who has since joined the EFF.