ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has taken legal action against the former chair of Productivity South Africa and CEO of Thuja Capital, Mthunzi Mdwaba, over allegations of a R500 million bribe.
Mbalula opened a crimen injuria and defeating the ends of justice case against Mdwaba at the Sandton Police Station on Thursday.
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Mdwaba had accused Mbalula and three ministers of soliciting a bribe of R500 million from the proceeds of a R5 billion UIF jobs scheme. He claimed that the ministers demanded a 10% cut of the tender deal he was aiming to secure and was subsequently removed from Productivity SA when he refused.
In response, Mbalula categorically denied all allegations made against him by Mdwaba and stated that he sees it as his duty to report the crime committed by Mdwaba in not reporting the crime when he was approached by the three individuals mentioned in the allegations.
Mbalula has instructed his lawyers to send a letter of demand to Mdwaba and warned that if he fails to retract his statements, legal action will be pursued.
Mbalula emphasized that he is exercising his constitutional right to human dignity and will seek appropriate relief through the courts if necessary.
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Earlier, Mdwaba was removed from the Productivity SA board by employment and labor minister Thulas Nxesi due to a “conflict of interest” related to a R5bn deal.
Public Interest South Africa, a non-profit organization, has called for an investigation into the alleged irregularities surrounding the UIF deal.
