In a surprising turn of events, suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has released alleged audio recordings that she claims implicate former ANC official Tina Joemat-Pettersson in a bribery scandal.
Tina Joemat-Petterrson exposed in leaked audio recordings
Despite the parliamentary ethics committee’s plea to refrain from doing so, Mkhwebane unveiled the recordings during a media briefing held on Tuesday.
According to Mkhwebane, the voice recordings provide evidence supporting her accusations that Joemat-Pettersson accepted a bribe of R600 000 in exchange for halting an ongoing inquiry against her.
Joemat-Pettersson, who served as the agriculture and energy minister and was a member of the ANC national executive committee, tragically passed away on 5 June 2023.
Mkhwebane alleged that all three branches of government, namely the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary, indirectly or directly contributed to Joemat-Pettersson’s demise.
Mkhwebane claimed that Joemat-Pettersson initiated contact with her husband, David Skosana, by obtaining his phone number from a parliamentary official on 16 March 2023.
The suspended public protector stated that Joemat-Pettersson arranged two separate meetings with Skosana at a restaurant located in OR Tambo International Airport, during which she solicited a bribe for herself, ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina, and inquiry committee chairperson Richard Dyantyi.
Mkhwebane disclosed that her husband pretended to cooperate, negotiating the bribe amount to be reduced from R200 000 to R150 000 per individual.
However, she revealed that the deal eventually fell through, resulting in the termination of further meetings.
Mkhwebane asserted that she possesses additional evidence, including over 90 WhatsApp messages exchanged between Skosana and Joemat-Pettersson during the middle and end of March 2023.
She confirmed that all evidence has been submitted to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) for investigation.
Furthermore, Mkhwebane alleged that the leaked audio recordings contained a chilling statement from Joemat-Pettersson, who reportedly remarked,
“The courts are with (President Cyril) Ramaphosa.”
This remark supposedly stemmed from Skosana’s grievances regarding protracted judicial proceedings.
Expressing concern over Joemat-Pettersson’s comment, Mkhwebane emphasised that it was made by an elected representative of the ruling party and should be a matter of significance for all South Africans.
Here is a snippet of the leaked audio recordings, where a woman with a voice resembling Tina Joemat-Petterrson was heard soliciting a bribe from Mkhwebane’s husband:
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Busisiwe Mkhwebane reveals next chess move in dangerous political play
Mkhwebane now demands Dyantyi’s recusal from the ongoing inquiry and has threatened legal action if he fails to comply with her request.
The parliamentary ethics committee, in response, urged Mkhwebane to allow them to conduct their investigation and urged her to refrain from vilifying the speaker and others through the media.
As the allegations continue to unfold, this latest development has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, raising questions about the integrity of public officials and the potential consequences of corruption within the system.