Mentor tells of threats to women MPs

IN ADDITION to the outspoken Makhosi Khoza, three other female ANC MPs have allegedly had their lives threatened after calling for a conscience vote in the pending motion of noconfidence against President Jacob Zuma.

Vytjie Mentor, a former ANC MP and chairwoman of the public enterprises committee, made the allegation on Thursday, when she was addressing the Cape Town Press Club and talked about her new book, Holy Cows.

The book gives an account of her time as an ANC MP, a time tinged by allegations of sexual harassment and corruption.

Mentor told reporters in Cape Town intimidation was rife among Zuma supporters in the ANC.

She shot back to public prominence in 2016, when she came out and said that she had been offered a cabinet post by the Guptas. Mentor deposed an affidavit to this effect to former public protector Thuli Madonsela as part of the state of capture investigation.

Khoza has complained that she received arson threats and threats against her life and that of her daughter.

Mentor said she believed it was right to expect ANC MPs to vote with their conscience on the motion of noconfidence.

She said she had been in contact with Khoza about her “dire security situation” with a view of providing comfort to her.

Mentor said she had faith in the police, but was wary of the idea of police officers serving as security personnel.

“I am reluctant to take up state protection, because I feel like I may die at the hands of the people I would expect to protect me,” she said.

“I know the thugs that are trying to intimidate me but I would be lying if I said I knew who is intimidating MPs over the vote. I know three women MPs, other than Khoza, who are being intimidated.” — TMG