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The allegation that former Transport Minister Mac Maharaj was paid a R1.2 million kickback from a French arms manufacturer in return for a R265 million credit card licence tender cannot be ignored by President Zuma.

The President must suspend Mac Maharaj without delay.

Mr Maharaj cannot continue as Mr Zuma’s spokesperson with these charges hanging over his head. To do so would be to cast a dark cloud over the Presidency and the President himself.

Not only that, these allegations will hamper Mr Maharaj from carrying out the duties he was appointed to fulfil. We cannot have a situation in which the President’s spokesperson needs his own spokesperson.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will write to the Public Protector to ensure that she investigates what appears to be a serious case of corruption on the part of Mac Maharaj, his wife and Mr Schabir Shaik. Until such an investigation is complete, Mr Maharaj should play no further part in this government.

The allegation of a kickback from Thales channelled through Schabir Shaik has strong echoes of the still unresolved case against the President himself. It will be fascinating to see whether President Zuma will act against a key ally against whom similar allegations have been made.