AfriForum Accuses NPA of Shielding Oscar Mabuyane From R1 Million Corruption Allegation, SA Divided
- AfriForum's Gerrie Nel has written a letter to the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) head, Shamila Batohi
- The organisation is not happy with the way a case is being handled involving Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane
- South Africans weighed in on the letter, sharing mixed reactions both for and against AfriForum's unhappiness
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Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
EASTERN CAPE – AfriForum has accused the National Prosecuting Authority of trying to protect Oscar Mabuyane from prosecution.
The Premier of the Eastern Cape is linked to a R1 million corruption case related to the funeral of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
AfriForum is representing businessman Lonwabo Bam, whose company allegedly received millions of rands in public funds, which were to be used for arrangements for the funeral.
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How is Mabuyane linked to Bam?
Bam, the director of Mthombeni Projects, opened a case in April 2019 after he alleged that he was paid funds from the provincial government but didn’t have to provide any services in return.
He also claimed that he was instructed to disburse the funds to several companies. On top of that, Bam alleges that he was instructed by the former Eastern Cape Member of the Executive Committee (MEC) of Public Works, Babalo Madikizela, to submit a forged invoice to the Municipal Manager of Mbizana Local Municipality for R1.1 million.
Mabuyane is alleged to have received R450,000 of that money, while Madikizela was paid R350,000. Winnie Mandela's family stood behind Madikizela in the wake of the allegations. R280 000 was then paid into the African National Congress’s fundraising account for the funeral.
Why are AfriForum unhappy with the NPA?
AfriForum is of the belief that there is overwhelming evidence to prosecute and can’t understand why the NPA haven’t yet done so.
In a letter to the NPA’s head, Shamila Batohi, Advocate Gerrie Nel accused the criminal justice body of shielding the premier from prosecution. The Eastern Cape’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) originally declined to prosecute Mabuyane and Madikizela in November 2023, before an advisory panel identified ‘gaps in the evidence’ and directed police to conduct further investigations. The matter is still under investigation, according to the NPA.
AfriForum isn’t thrilled with the delays, accusing the NPA of political interference.
“This must be one of the most blatant and callous examples of shielding politically connected individuals from prosecution.
“We infer that the accused are shielded due to their political connections,” Nel said.
Briefly News reached out to the NPA for a comment about AfriForum’s letter, and its response will be added once received.
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How did South Africans react?
Social media users were divided in their opinion of AfriForum’s stance, with some agreeing that the NPA protected politicians, while others accused the organisation of being racist.
Nare Mokobane stated:
“We said it since day one. Shamila Batohi is responsible for collapsing the NPA. She was strategically appointed as the head to stifle investigations and delay prosecutions of political figures. Ever since she took office, the number and quality of successes at the entity have declined. Her biggest excuses are always state capture, Covid-19, budget constraints and criminal elements inside.”
Moses Nkonzo added:
“The NPA will protect all politicians.”
Malome Khoza said:
“The most corrupt, greedy, selfish and useless so-called ANC leader is in the Eastern Cape Province. This one must be thoroughly investigated, exposed, charged and condemned by the nation. It is high time to clean our country and get rid of the filthy and corrupt ANC thugs.”
Tefo Mkhwanazi claimed:
“NPA is captured by ANC.”
Oscarwell Nkulu Tembe II agreed:
“The NPA is useless.”
Tk Motho'omogolo Sehlapelo said:
A Boer just killed and concealed the evidence by burying that person, and they are yet to say a word about this.”
BL Mnisi stated:
“They’re a racist organisation thanks to the ANC government allowing them space to flourish and cause pain to black people.”
Johannes Matooane claimed:
“Racists AfriForum is still pointing stinking fingers in SA. After selling the country to their God, Trump.
John Mpashi added:
“AfriForum always wants to prosecute black people, and I have never heard of any incident where they were planning to take private prosecution against a white person.”
Mabuyane's case was struck off the roll
Briefly News reported in June 2024 that a case against the Eastern Cape's premier was struck off the roll.
Mabuyane was appearing in court over allegations that he had fake academic credentials.
The case was struck off the roll after the attorney set to prosecute him did not appear before the court.
ANC slams Senzo Mchunu and Malusi Gigaba for statements against the party
Meanwhile Briefly News reported that the African National Congress (ANC) has lambasted members Senzo Mchunu and Dr Malusi Gigaba for their negative statements.
In an interview, Gigaba pointed out that the party was losing direction, and Mchunu echoed similar sentiments.
South Africans disagreed with the ANC and supported Mchunu and Gigaba's diagnoses of the party's condition.
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