DA to lay charges against Mbina-Mthembu

THE DA has joined the bandwagon of many political parties who are blaming Eastern Cape administration head Marion Mbina-Mthembu for the diversion of funds earmarked for infrastructure development during funeral preparations for Nelson Mandela in 2013.

DA national spokesman Refiloe Ntsekhe said he would lay charges against Mbina-Mthembu today for authorising the transfer of funds to “corrupt entities and individuals” during her tenure as provincial treasury head.

“The charges will be laid in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act against Mbina-Mthembu for her role in the R300million Mandela funeral funds scandal,” said Ntsekhe.

She said they would submit public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebana’s “Mandela Funeral Report” to the police “to supplement an existing docket and ongoing investigation by the Hawks into the allegations, which date back to 2013”.

The case is being investigated by Hawks Eastern Cape ace investigator Captain Luphumlo Lwana.

Late in 2014, a plot to murder Lwana was uncovered by the Hawks while he was on the case. At the time, the Hawks said they were investigating “a prominent ANC leader in the province” in connection with the case.

The police at the time said they had extensive phone and video recordings where the alleged hit was discussed.

Last week, ANC bosses in the Eastern Cape summoned premier Phumulo Masualle and three mayors to the party provincial headquarters – Calata House in King William’s Town – to provide answers about the Nelson Mandela funeral funds scandal.

Masualle, BCM executive mayor Xola Pakati, O R Tambo mayor Nomakhosazana Meth and KSD mayor Dumani Zozo were invited to explain how millions of rands meant for the mourning period leading up to Mandela’s funeral, had been looted.

The fourth municipality, Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (NMB), which was also named in the report, did not have its mayor, Athol Trollip, at Calata House as he is not an ANC deployee.

Last week, Mkhwebane pointed a finger at senior Eastern Cape officials, including Mbina-Mthembu, for the misuse of millions of rands earmarked for the funeral arrangements for the late statesman.

Mkhwebane now wants President Jacob Zuma to make a proclamation for the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate all those implicated and charge them so taxp money can be recovered.

Irregular expenditures, according to Mkhwebane’s report, incurred by some government entities include:

● KSD municipality incurred unauthorised expenditure in excess of R4.2-million;

● OR Tambo municipality incurred unauthorised expenditure of R443 500 for the funeral catering;

● NMB incurred unauthorised expenditure of R110 300 for catering for events relating to the funeral;

● BCM incurred unauthorised expenditure of R5.98-million when they used public funds to transport mourners to four memorial service venues;

● The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency incurred irregular expenditure of R500 000 and fruitless and wasteful expenditure in the amount of R970 000 in procuring goods and services relating to Mandela’s funeral; and

● The Eastern Cape Development Corporation lost more than R22-million that was originally appropriated to them to accelerate social infrastructure development in the Eastern Cape. Money intended to alleviate the plight of the poorest of the poor was accordingly spent on a state funeral. —