WATCH | ‘It was a donation, not a luxury’ – Mbalula on yacht controversy

Mbalula

Cape Town – The ANC has condemned what it calls a “coordinated effort” to discredit its stakeholders, following reports that Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula used a yacht to travel to Robben Island instead of the ferry during the party’s 113th birthday celebrations in the Western Cape.

In a statement, the ANC rejected claims that the yacht trip was a luxurious indulgence, citing logistical necessities behind the decision.

The party said that Mbalula’s packed schedule, including a Robben Island visit, a wreath-laying ceremony, and stakeholder engagements, required precise coordination.

“The secretary-general had an intense schedule on the day, which began in Robben Island, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony in honour of Songezo Mjongile, a regional cake-cutting ceremony and multiple stakeholder engagements.

“Every engagement required precise coordination to ensure that all obligations were met without delay or disruption. To suggest that such logistical decisions were anything other than necessary is to wilfully ignore the realities of a demanding leadership role during a historic occasion,” the ANC said.

Mbalula himself also defended the use of the yacht during an interview with eNCA’s Power to Truth on Monday night, clarifying it was a donated mode of transport with no payment or corruption involved.

He dismissed allegations of unnecessary luxury, emphasising the practical need to stay on schedule for the day’s events.

“It was given to us as a mode of transport. It’s not a gift, but a donation, we didn’t pay for it. There’s nothing that links us to corruption,” said Mbalula.

“That day, I had five lined up activities, from Robben Island. I left there late because the Robben Island programme dragged a bit. We were in Cape Town, we addressed there and I had to drive from Cape Town for two hours to Zwelethemba and I addressed a rally there.

“Those journalists, some of them who were on the ferry who reported on the matter could not reach other areas because they were late. The president used the state helicopter to reach his destination. It’s not like people were at Robben Island and the SG was gallivanting in the sea with a yacht.”

Compiled by Betha Madhomu 

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