Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Zweli Mkhize on Monday defended himself after the Sunday Times alleged that he had facilitated a R210-million and received a R4.5-million kickback.

The news report accuses Mkhize of facilitating a loan for Afric Oil from the Public Investment Corporation (PIC).

Mkhize hit back at the reports and said the views were meant to tarnish and defame his name and were without substance. He denied the claims saying he never facilitated such a loan.

He added that he has not been provided with any evidence on when he facilitated this loan and who he engaged with in said facilitation.

“I deny having done any facilitation whatsoever for the granting of the Afric Oil loan at PIC,” said Mkhize.

Mkhize stated that he had learnt through the article that there were lawyers who have instituted action against certain parties wherein his name was mentioned.

He said to date he has not seen such a lawyer’s letter nor was there any action pending against him.

The Minister said in his tenure as the African National Congress treasurer general he met with various companies who would brief him on their operations, strategies or plans. However, he stressed that this in no way meant that his intervention was required.

Mkhize maintained that at no stage did he enter into an agreement to facilitate loans for a fee.

The Minister said he will immediately seek legal advice on how to deal with the matter.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) wants the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) to probe the allegations against Mkhize.

DA Shadow Minister of Finance David Maynier said he will write to the chairperson of Scopa Themba Godi requesting him to schedule a hearing.