Cape Town – Former Transnet executives Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, and Lucky Montana, as well as Mzwanele Manyi, Eric Gezani Nkovane better known as “Penny Penny”, and Nompumelelo Gasa have been sworn in as uMkhonto weSizwer party Members of Parliament.
The former Transnet executives, who were brought before the Zondo Commission over their alleged roles in state capture, bounced back Wednesday as MPs with annual salaries of R1.27 million.
Manyi recently quit the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to occupy one of several MK party MP vacancies in Parliament.
Earlier this month, the party led by former president Jacob Zuma fired at least 16 MPs – some said they were contesting their removal in court alleging their “resignation letters” were forged.
Commenting on the swearing-in of the MPs, Zuma said in a statement: “I hereby welcome you as party leader of uMkhonto weSizwe Party.
“Today we witnessed a historic moment, in the swearing in of experienced and capable black professionals, such as myself, who were politically marginalised and side-lined by the ANC of Cyril Ramaphosa.
“We sit here before you as public servants and members of the National Assembly representing the people of South Africa.”
Penny Penny is a renowned South African artist.
Manyi is a seasoned corporate and public sector professional. He has decades of experience in multinationals and blue chip companies including Anglo American, Barclay’s Bank plc, Nedcor, IBM, and Tiger Brands. He is a former CEO of GCIS and ex-Cabinet spokesperson.
Gasa holds a Master’s in Policy and Development Studies from UKZN and has served the Department of Education under the Communications and Publications Directorate for 17 years.
Gamede is a former MUT Faculties Officer, Former MUT Engineering Faculty Board Member, Former Academic Board Member at MUT, and Former MUT NSBE Branch Secretary.
Mjadu holds a Diploma: Civil Engineering, National Certificate: Project Management, and a Degree: Public Administration.
The statement added: “The swearing in of these members represents president Zuma and MKP’s commitment to assemble the most brilliant and capable individuals in society and to not only be the official opposition, but to be a capable and effective progressive party and future government of South Africa”.
Meanwhile, two EFF members – Sinawo Thambo and Nazier Paulsen – were also sworn in as MPs to replace Floyd Shivambu and Manyi who quit Julius Malema’s party to join the MK.
