Questions rise over Mantashe’s future as a minister in the GNU

Mantashe

Cape Town — Mineral resources and energy minister, Gwede Mantashe, has become a topic of discussion as questions are raised over Mantashe’s role and effectiveness in the cabinet.

Mantashe has divided opinion over his role within the cabinet as some have argued that he is an indispensable asset to the energy ministry, while others have labelled him as an “exorbitant liability”, TimesLIVE reported.

Mantashe’s supporters highlighted his experience and understanding of the mining and energy sectors due to him having worked in the mines during the Apartheid era.
While those opposing Mantashe’s re-appointment have said his time in office has been marred by controversies and inefficiencies, with a spotlight on the Zondo commission and state capture.

Mantashe was the subject of a state capture commission chaired by Chief Justice Zondo, who detailed how Bosasa, a private company, secured tenders from government for work done at three of his properties.

Though there were suspicions that the upgrades conducted on Mantashe’s three properties were done based on his role in the ANC in advancing Bosasa’s modus operandi of attaining more government tenders through favours, there was no evidence of this in the commission.

The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Investigating Directorate distanced itself from the claims that it intended to arrest him, after reports suggested that his arrest was immenent due to his alleged involvement in “corrupt deals at Bosasa”.  He dispelled rumours that he and his family were involved in theft or corruption.

According to eNCA, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) is calling for new leaders in the cabinet and called for Mantashe, along with Blade Nzimande and Sindisiwe Chikunga, to be removed from cabinet.

“We’ve done a lot of work, investigations with whistleblowers, particularly with those three ministries. It is so obvious to us that Gwede Mantashe should not be heading up the DMRE going forward. We, see, firstly the mining system which has collapsed on a number of occasions over the last few years. Mr. Mantashe has said he will fix this and get the administration system right,” OUTA CEO, Wayne Duvenhage, said.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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