Cape Town – African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has denied wrongdoing following AfriForum’s move to initiate a private prosecution over his 2016 Dubai trip, which was allegedly funded by Sedgars Sports for R680,000.
Last year, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) declined to pursue criminal charges against the former Sport, Arts, and regarding his family holiday in Dubai, citing lack of evidence.
“After police investigations, guided by the prosecutors in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Unit office, and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) office, a decision to decline to prosecute anyone in this matter was taken, as there is no evidence supporting allegations of criminal activity,” the NPA said.
Lobby group AfriForum has decided to contest the NPA’s decision by initiating a private prosecution.
But according to The Citizen, Mbalula, defending himself during an ANC briefing, criticised AfriForum for revisiting the issue and accused them of conducting a “kangaroo court” without substantial evidence.
“There is no scandal, it has been proven. That matter has been subjected to an investigation and there was a public pronouncement on it.
Watch as Mbalula speaks:
“Now if some overenthusiastic braggarts think they can get something out of it then let them proceed with it,” Mbalula said during an ANC media briefing on Thursday.
He continued: “We have got rights in terms of the law and AfriForum must know that. We are not scared of them and if they stand for something good, let them stand for it, but we have got rights.
“Nobody can stand at a podium and say the [secretary-general] of the ANC has done something wrong.
“There’s no court that has adjudicated and passed judgment on it. All processes have actually been informed. I have never run away from anything.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
