Stung by accusations of possible corruption levelled against him by the Zondo Commission report, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe on Wednesday rejected the findings and said he would challenge the report in court.
The report recommends that Manatshe, the former African National Congress (ANC) secretary general, be probed for corruption.
Responding to allegations made against him in the report Mantashe said: “The report makes specific findings in relation to me, in my previous capacity as the secretary general of the ANC.
“Whilst we note the analysis, findings, and recommendations of the report, my legal team is currently analysing the report and will thereafter advise me on the next steps to be taken.”
The state capture commission of inquiry report released late Tuesday named Mantashe as a beneficiary of the Bosasa largesse.
The report says Mantashe, who was seen as “a brilliant connection” by Bosasa’s owners, was found to have benefitted from security upgrades at his homes.
Bosasa was found to be heavily invested in securing tenders from particular government departments and organs of state.
The third volume of the Zondo Commission report said Bosasa sought, through Mantashe, to influence the leadership of those departments and organs of state.
Many of these heads of the department were found to have been “drawn almost exclusively” from the ranks of the ANC.
The report found there was reasonable suspicion Mantashe received the free installations for his homes knowing he was expected to influence departments that Bosasa did, or sought to do, business with.
The report says Mantashe should be investigated in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.
However, Mantashe responded saying: “I intend on taking the report on Judicial review, as we believe there are areas in the report that require that action.”
Mantashe said since the release of the first volume of the commission reports, he cautioned that “outcomes of these reports should not be used for witch-hunt to eviscerate individuals and certain political personalities.”
Mantashe said he was now preparing for the eventuality “of the supposed investigation recommended in the report”.
The minister added: “I will, therefore, appreciate it if you allow me to carry on with my work in government and in the governing party, without hindrance or further speculation, until such time that there is an investigation and there is a case to answer to”.
