ANC rejects malicious allegations against Treasurer General Paul Mashatile and Deputy President David Mabuza

9 May 2021

The African National Congress (ANC) rejects and condemns in the strongest possible terms a report in the online edition of Mail and Guardian of 8 May 2021 under the headline: "Mashatile, Mabuza accused of pocketing ANC donations".

The ANC wishes to state categorically that these malicious allegations against its Deputy President, Comrade David Mabuza and the Treasurer General, Comrade Paul Mashatile have no iota of truth in them. The ANC is considering laying a complaint with the Press Ombudsman.

It is unfortunate that the Mail and Guardian has decided to cast unfair aspersions on the integrity of our leaders.

It is a matter of concern that this article is based entirely on anonymous sources and failed to seek the comment of those it implicates. This, in our view, is a blatant violation of the Press Code, which states, among other things, that the media shall: "take care to report news truthfully, accurately and fairly; present news in context and in a balanced manner, without any intentional or negligent departure from the facts whether by distortion, exaggeration or misrepresentation, material omissions, or summarization, Seek, if practicable, the views of the subject of critical reportage in advance of publication ... such a subject should be afforded reasonable time to respond; if unable to obtain comment, this shall be stated .."

While the ANC has been honest and frank about its current financial challenges, it is unfortunate that some in the media chose to seize on these difficulties that confront our movement to manufacture and peddle falsehoods and to tarnish the reputation of individual leaders. We, accordingly, reject these false and baseless allegations with the contempt they deserve.

The ANC reaffirms its confidence in both its Treasurer General Comrade Mashatile and Deputy President Comrade Mabuza.

Issued by Pule Mabe, National Spokesperson, ANC, 9 May 2021