Today the office of the Public Protector has responded to ADeC’s call by our Secretary General Nathaniel Denton Bricknell, to investigate Dr Zweli Mkhize in his involvement and inappropriate benefit from a transaction between AfricOil and the PIC (Public Investment Corporation). Allegedly receiving a ‘facilitation fee’ from AfricOil for assisting in securing a loan for R210 Million from the PIC. Should he be found guilty, the African Democratic Change demands that he be fined all funds misappropriated and face a hefty jail sentence.

Crimes against the people of South Africa, such as corruption by state officials and politicians, deserve harsh punishments.  The fact that the now Minister used the legal system to demand this ‘facilitation fee’ after it was not paid to him is astounding and shows no respect for the people of South Africa, the constitution or the judiciary system as a whole. We as the African Democratic Change will continue in our programs of enacting social justice.

We see the misuse of worker’s pensions as a gross violation of the law and the people of South Africa. We call workers to question the security of their funds and call for an independent audit of the PIC to determine whether any additional misappropriation of funds can be identified.
 
The officials at the PIC and its board at the time of the authorization of the loan need to be held to account and we expect the investigation to extend to them as well.
 
South Africa works, when South Africans Unite.

 

Issued by ADeC