Mpumalanga premier must resign over ANC hit list
The Premier of Mpumalanga, David Mabuza, ought to resign over the spate of murders and the existence of a hit list of ANC officials - which is reportedly linked with World Cup tender disputes amongst other things (see report).
The factionalism, infighting and now apparently downright criminal antics going on in Mpumalanga require a root and branch overhaul. The Mpumalanga administration is now in chaos - but we should not be surprised; Mr. Mabuza, after all, resigned in disgrace as Mpumalanga MEC for Education after his department illegally inflated the province's matric pass rate in 1998 from 46% to 72.5%. Investigators revealed the jump to be fraudulent and the 7000 pupils who initially ‘passed' their exams were later told they had in fact failed. Then it was reported in July last year that Mabuza had failed to deal with alleged tender irregularities in his government. While he was MEC for agriculture he reportedly authorised the awarding of a R210-million tender to a company owned by his former wife, even though her company had been suspended.
The dissatisfaction with Mabuza's leadership is further evident in a letter sent to President Zuma in September 2009. The DA was forwarded a copy of this letter from an anonymous source, in which Premier Mabuza is accused of ignoring glaring irregularities brought to his attention, in a range of departments. Eyebrows have also been raised by the awarding of a R232 million tender awarded to the ‘Sizwengedaba - Laeveld Trekkers joint venture', for the provision and maintenance of farm mechanisation equipment in rural communities.
Today, the MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Sibongile Manana, issued responses to a number of questions that I have submitted on this matter, stating that she was "aware of the rumour about the hit list". The questions also reveal that of 11 murders, disappearances or survived assassination attempts, only in two cases has a culprit been tried, convicted and sentenced.
- Saul Shabangu (killed in 1998): one person charged, but released due to a lack of evidence
- Hebron Maisela (killed in 1998): one person was arrested, but released due to a lack of evidence
- Sydney De Lange (killed in 1998): one person was arrested, but released due to a lack of evidence
- Rose Alleta Mnisi (killed in 1999): one person was convicted to life imprisonment
- Caswell Maluleke (survived assassination attempt in 2000): case closed as undetected
- Joshua Ntshuhle (disappeared in 2005): no-one has been arrested
- Sizile Ndlovu (survived assassination attempt in 2006): case closed as undetected
- Thandi Mtsweni (killed in 2008): one person convicted of 20 years. Three others to appear in court in August.
- Jimmy Mohlala (killed in 2009): case still under investigation
- Isaac Mohale (killed in 2009): two arrests, suspects due to appear in court this week
- Sammy Mpatlanyane (killed in 2010): case under investigation
Ms Manana also admitted that no-one is currently receiving police protection for threats made on their lives. Surely this must be made a priority, to protect those that are willing to expose this dreadful affair. Whistle-blowers simply cannot be left in the cold with no initiative from government to provide adequate protection. The Democratic Alliance will write to Ms Manana to ensure that those at risk are given the requisite protection, and that a proper forum is established through which whistleblowers can give evidence so that this matter and other irregularities can be exposed, investigated and put to bed.
Statement issued by Anthony Benadie, MPL, Democratic Alliance Mpumalanga provincial leader, February 8 2010
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