As law enforcement agencies are under pressure to deal with a litany of corruption accusations, African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Ace Magashule has warned law enforcement agencies not to be caught up in political battles or be used to settle political scores.

At the same time, the ANC bigwig said he knew who was tapping his phone and following him, but he could not reveal anything yet. 

For now, he has complained to State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo about the matter.

"We know them, but I don't want to accuse people of wrongdoing while it hasn't been proven. Competent authorities and the courts must act first," he said.

In an interview with News24, Magashule warned law enforcement agencies against being influenced by powerful business and political interests amid calls for authorities to ramp up the fight against corruption.

South Africans have been outraged at claims of political leaders and those linked to them either being involved in graft or being awarded multi-million rand contracts linked to Covid-19 resources.

"We are just saying please do your work. Don't get influenced by anybody powerful, be it in business or in politics. Just do your work. 

He continued, "It doesn't matter if it's my child, if he has done something wrong, unlawful in terms of what the law says. Act, don't blame me for anybody. Just do your work without fearing anybody; never be influenced."

Magashule's creating a cloud of suspicion over the independence of law enforcement agencies is reminiscent of former president Jacob Zuma, who long maintained that law enforcement agencies were used to settle political scores against him.

It comes as Magashule has been linked to a number of allegations of corruption in the Free State as the state capture commission is probing a R200-million asbestos tender implicating him. 

Diversion 

Even though President Cyril Ramaphosa was on the record saying Magashule's phone was not bugged, he repeated the claims he made ahead of the 2019 elections about his phone being tapped.

In May last year the secretary-general said he had approached the inspector-general over the claims, and has now told News24 nothing had happened since then, which his why he had approached Dlodlo's office.

And while he threatened to talk about those he believed were behind the phone tapping and following him, he said he would only do so after due processes had been followed.

Dlodlo's office was approached for comment and the response would be added once received. 

For Magashule, some reports related to corruption was a diversion away from the matter of large-scale corruption. 

"South Africans must not be diverted when we say investigate the billions and trillions of Covid-19 and people try [to] divert us on smaller issues around issues of corruption... both corruption in the public and private sectors must be thoroughly investigated; they must look at everybody," said Magashule.

Magashule, whose sons also benefited from similar contracts in the Free State, welcomed the idea of his children being investigated, along with leaders in the ANC, adding that this should be done without prejudice.

He admitted it "was not nice", constantly being placed at the centre of reports of corruption - Magashule said he did not want to enter that terrain as it would seem he was attempting to defend himself.

Beyond 2022

Magashule said running the operations of South Africa's largest political party had been "tough", given the Covid-19 pandemic, but added that his office was interacting with branches and provincial structures.

He also refused to indicate whether he was interested in serving as the secretary-general for a second term.

Magashule said his future in politics would be decided by the ANC, insisting he harbours no ambitions for any positions going forward.

"I am not interested in being known by people interested in destroying us, our characters and credibility. I am not worried about them, but I am also not a prophet. I don't act that way - people who say I am available, you must know, don't understand the culture and values of this movement,” he said.

Magashule said he did not enjoy the media nor the limelight - he's happier "working the ground".

"I serve once called upon, the decision is not mine," he concluded.