The air in South Africa’s political arena is thick with anticipation as Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen steps up the pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa to take decisive action against Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
Paul Mashatile corruption scandal: Here’s everything you must know
Steenhuisen, leveraging allegations of corruption, has not only called for Mashatile’s removal but has also placed a deadline for Ramaphosa to initiate a case against him.
The accusations stem from Mashatile’s tenure as the human settlements MEC in Gauteng, where he is alleged to have fostered corrupt relationships with businesspeople over tenders.
The corruption dossier delivered to Ramaphosa by the DA encapsulates a narrative of deep-seated corruption and state capture, purportedly involving Mashatile over nearly two decades.
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According to investigations, Mashatile’s intricate web of corruption includes benefiting from a patronage network, which saw his son-in-law acquiring properties worth millions, purportedly for Mashatile’s benefit.
Furthermore, Mashatile is accused of having connections with businessmen with lucrative public contracts and directly receiving funds from entities involved in government contracts during his time as MEC.
Is Mashatile next on the ‘step-aside’ chopping block?
The ANC’s step-aside rule, introduced to address corruption within the party, mandates that members charged with corruption or other serious crimes must vacate their positions until their cases are resolved.
This rule aims to preserve the integrity of the party and its officials while they are under legal scrutiny.
However, the application and enforcement of this rule have been met with criticism and are seen as a litmus test for the ANC’s commitment to fighting corruption within its ranks.
Notable ANC leaders who have fallen under the scope of this rule include:
- Bongani Bongo
- Khusela Diko
- Zandile Gumede
- Mike Mabuyakhulu
- Ace Magashule
- Tolly Mashamaite
- Zweli Mkhize
- Olly Mlamleli
- Mandla Msibi
- Danny Msiza
- Zukiswa Ncitha
- Danville Smith
With the ANC’s integrity at stake, the outcome of this scandal could have far-reaching implications for the party’s leadership ahead of a crucial campaign run at the 2024 general elections.
