Political parties are calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to take action against corruption-accused Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
According to reports, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (also known as the Hawks) is investigating Ntshavheni’s conduct during her tenure as municipal manager of Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality in Limpopo, which involved R2,5 million in alleged tender corruption. The Hawks have already reportedly handed in the docket to the prosecution.
DA, EFF AND ACTIONSA WANT RAMAPHOSA TO SUSPEND KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI
Following the revelation, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said Ntshavheni could not serve as minister while under such a serious criminal investigation and called on her to step down immediately. Failing that, the Ramaphosa must relieve her of her duties.
“This is yet another example of an ANC minister in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Cabinet who he needs to remove for allegations of corruption.
“Either he was not aware of these allegations, which would be an indictment in itself, or he was aware, which would raise damning questions as to his duty of care as head of the executive. Members of the Executive must be fit for purpose, and beyond reproach,” DA spokesperson on State Security Dianne Kohler-Barnard said.
Similarly, ActionSA has also called on Ramaphosa to suspend the former Communications and Digital Technologies minister.
The party said that worryingly, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni joined a growing list of Ramaphosa’s confidants and ministers under criminal investigation for fraud and corruption. This highlights a troubling pattern of the President’s failure to exercise due diligence when appointing individuals to critical positions within his government.
“Eerily similar to the legal woes faced by the current minister of Human Settlements and former Justice minister, Thembi Simelane, Ntshavheni’s impending run-in with the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority] creates a clear conflict owing to her stewardship of the State Security Agency, necessitating that she be suspended,” ActionSA leader in Parliament Athol Trollip said.
PRESIDENT ACCUSED OF SHIELDING MINISTER
The EFF also added its voice to the calls for Ntshavheni to be relieved of her duties.
The party said for years, Ntshavheni had been safe under Ramaphosa’s patronage as his lieutenant and has avoided accountability for her “numerous scandals” because of her close association with the president.
“Khumbudzo Ntshavheni also represents the patronage that has defined Ramaphosa’s tenure as President of South Africa, as despite all her failures and sordid corruption, she now presides over State Security with impunity, while the nation fails to combat mass shootings, human and drug trafficking under her watch,” EFF spokesperson Leigh-Anne Mathys said.
DO YOU THINK KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI WILL STEP ASIDE?
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