Cape Town – African National Congress (ANC) chairperson and Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has reportedly maintained that there is no evidence that he unduly benefitted from Bosasa, and therefore, he will not step aside.
According to reports, Mantashe said this during a media briefing in Pretoria on Wednesday.
His remarks came after the State Capture Inquiry found that he should be probed for corruption after he received security installations without charge from Bosasa.
According to Times Live, Mantashe Mantashe was fingered for having gained from Bosasa-sponsored security upgrades at three of his properties, a fact he has not denied, but insists were paid for by family friend Papa Leshabane, who was a director of the controversial company at the time.
“Consciousness is not a religious concept, it is a material concept. Until we move beyond the point that there is a ‘reasonable prospect’ that further investigation will uncover prima facie case against me, then we will decide at that point,” the report quoted Mantashe as saying.
[ON AIR] ANC Chairperson and Mineral Resource and Energy, Gwede Mantashe says he will take the State Capture Part 3 report on judicial review following the findings against him.
Tune into #Newzroom405 now for the live briefing. pic.twitter.com/BqjtUezQKd
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 2, 2022
“The commission says there is no prima facie case Mantashe and you say there is no case, but step aside. That is religious because you want me to pray for the future and life thereafter.
“When there is no prima facie case and I step aside, then I am just impressing everybody else who wishes to see me stepping aside quicker. I will step aside when we move beyond this point,” Mantashe said.
Mantashe said his lawyers were currently going through the report and would be advising him shortly regarding what other legal routes he could take to challenge the report’s findings, News24 reported.
EWN reported that the latest volume of the report into corruption is divided into four sections, each of which focuses on Bosasa, which is now known as African Global Operations.
ALSO READ | SEE | South Africans reacts to third volume of state capture report
Bosasa was found to have used fronts to get kickbacks in exchange for lucrative government contracts.
Furthermore, it extensively bribed politicians, government officials, and others.
Amongst those also implicated is the former minister of environmental affairs Nomvula Mokonyane.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
