Premier Oscar Mabuyane instructs attorneys to interdict the Public Protector’s findings

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has instructed his attorneys to immediately interdict the Public Protector’s findings against him.

Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane found that Mabuyane personally benefitted to the tune of R450 thousand from the funds meant for the memorial service of the late anti-apartheid stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in 2018.

Mabuyane denies he ever benefitted and has taken the report by Mkhwebane on judicial review. The funds were allegedly sourced from the Mbizana Local Municipality which is now named after Madikizela-Mandela.

Spokesperson for the Office of the Premier, Sonwabo Mbananga, says the Premier maintains his public statement.

“Premier maintains his public statement issued on the matter in 2019 and maintains his position that he was never involved in any acts of fraud or corruption. As a result, he has instructed his legal representatives to take the report on judicial review because it ignored substantial information that sought to respond to the allegations levelled against him. He has further instructed his legal counsel to urgently interdict the implementation of the remedial actions.”

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane releases investigation reports:

According to the Public Protector’s records, Mabuyane has denied the allegations levelled against him.

Mkhwebane says, “Despite this, Mr Mabuyane denied any knowledge of the arrangements between Mr Bam and Mr Madikizela who benefitted to the tune of R350 000 of the R1.1 million, which was certainly public funds which went into the FNB Account on one PM Plant Hire – a private company owned by his wife Mrs Zonazethu Ziyazithanda-Madikizela as set out in the evidence. The ANC benefitted R280 000 from the R1.1 million which went into its FNB fundraising account as set out in the evidence.”

The matter has been escalated to the Hawks for criminal investigation. Mkhwebane says this is with the view to prosecute those alleged to have tampered with and unduly benefited from the public purse.

“On the issue of R1.1 million and the R2.2 million, all the evidence which we have will be handed to the Hawks. I know that there’s a case that was opened and it’s being investigated. I am just waiting for the senior investigator to confirm that indeed the Hawks are investigating the matter. This evidence will assist them to proceed criminally on this issue,” adds Mkhwebane.

The reports formed part of eight reports released by the Public Protector’s office in commemoration of Good Governance Month.

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