Transport tycoon accuses Limpopo MEC Moraka of tribalism

Shortly after Limpopo arts and culture MEC Thandi Moraka was accused of tribalism during the annual Mapungubwe art festival, another prominent Limpopo businessman has accused her of calling him a “fool” and an “unprofessional Tsonga businessman”.

Giyani-based taxi and bus tycoon Howard Xilumani of Xilumane Coaches yesterday claimed the MEC had insulted him.

He said his sin was to ask President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene in a long-standing payment dispute after he transported soccer fanatics from Polokwane to Port Elizabeth for the Baroka-Orlando Pirates cup final last year.

ALSO READ: MEC denies grabbing mic from Thomas Chauke, complaining Tsonga music too ‘noisy’

“We agreed the department would pay R570,000 for 10 buses from Polokwane to East London. But I have since become part of the furniture in her office,” said Xilumane.

“I took my frustrations to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who elevated the matter to Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa. He engaged Moraka on the matter and she promised to pay. But instead, the unthankful MEC took the phone and hurled insults at me,” he said.

“The last communication we had was when she called me stupid and an unprofessional Tsonga businessman whose business would not last.

“She said she no longer wants to do business with me because most Tsonga-speaking people do not know the first thing about business,” Xilumane added.

“The government is fighting the scourge of tribalism, but … an elected ANC cadre, occupying a public office and entrusted by the public at large is hell-bent on taking the province back to the unbearable pains of tribalism.”

Yesterday Moraka’s department claimed she was being vilified by those with ulterior motives to dent her “gorgeous” name.

“This is an orchestrated campaign to discredit the MEC,” said arts and culture spokesperson Lucky Tshilimandila.

At the Mapungubwe art festival multi-award-winning musician Dr Thomas Chauke’s performance was abruptly cut short. The managers allegedly claimed they were acting on an instruction from above.

The department later said the famous muso was stopped from performing because there was a crossover scheduled for that time.

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