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DA wants to smoke Khumbudzo Ntshavheni out
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The Democratic Alliance (DA) has renewed its calls for Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, to be fired amid growing allegations of corruption linked to her tenure as municipal manager of the Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality in Limpopo.
DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard stated that what initially appeared to be a R2.5 million financial scandal has now escalated into an R80 million fraud and corruption investigation being pursued by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks). She criticised the minister for failing to publicly address the accusations.
"Minister Ntshavheni has full access to the most secret dealings of the State Security Agency for so long as she stays in office. Having written to the President calling on him to fire her weeks ago, all that has emerged in reply is an acknowledgment of receipt," said Barnard.
The DA's concerns are echoed by ActionSA, whose national chairperson, Athol Trollip, pointed out what he described as a disturbing trend in President Cyril Ramaphosa's administration. "Minister Ntshavheni joins a growing list of the President's confidants and ministers under criminal investigation for fraud and corruption, highlighting a troubling pattern of failure to exercise due diligence when appointing individuals to critical positions within his government," Trollip stated.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has also weighed in, demanding accountability from Ntshavheni. EFF national spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys said that her involvement in the allegedly fraudulent tender process in Ba-Phalaborwa represents the broader systemic failures in local governance. She criticised the reliance on consultants, misuse of power by officials, and corruption in tender processes, stating that municipal managers like Ntshavheni "have become a law unto themselves."
Meanwhile, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has defended Ntshavheni, with Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula dismissing the allegations as premature. Speaking at a media briefing last month, Mbalula said the party would not comment on the matter until concrete evidence was presented. He also accused law enforcement authorities of attempting to tarnish Ntshavheni's image through media leaks.
Despite mounting political pressure, there has been no indication from the Presidency regarding any plans to suspend or remove Ntshavheni from her post. The corruption probe continues as opposition parties push for decisive action.
DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard stated that what initially appeared to be a R2.5 million financial scandal has now escalated into an R80 million fraud and corruption investigation being pursued by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks). She criticised the minister for failing to publicly address the accusations.
"Minister Ntshavheni has full access to the most secret dealings of the State Security Agency for so long as she stays in office. Having written to the President calling on him to fire her weeks ago, all that has emerged in reply is an acknowledgment of receipt," said Barnard.
The DA's concerns are echoed by ActionSA, whose national chairperson, Athol Trollip, pointed out what he described as a disturbing trend in President Cyril Ramaphosa's administration. "Minister Ntshavheni joins a growing list of the President's confidants and ministers under criminal investigation for fraud and corruption, highlighting a troubling pattern of failure to exercise due diligence when appointing individuals to critical positions within his government," Trollip stated.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has also weighed in, demanding accountability from Ntshavheni. EFF national spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys said that her involvement in the allegedly fraudulent tender process in Ba-Phalaborwa represents the broader systemic failures in local governance. She criticised the reliance on consultants, misuse of power by officials, and corruption in tender processes, stating that municipal managers like Ntshavheni "have become a law unto themselves."
Meanwhile, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has defended Ntshavheni, with Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula dismissing the allegations as premature. Speaking at a media briefing last month, Mbalula said the party would not comment on the matter until concrete evidence was presented. He also accused law enforcement authorities of attempting to tarnish Ntshavheni's image through media leaks.
Despite mounting political pressure, there has been no indication from the Presidency regarding any plans to suspend or remove Ntshavheni from her post. The corruption probe continues as opposition parties push for decisive action.
Source - iol
