The case against Makhosi
● ANC spells out misconduct charges against its MP ● Defiant Khoza turns down protection offered by police
Defiant ANC MP Makhosi Khoza has refused to accept security offered to her by parliament and the police.
She announced this on her Facebook wall yesterday, also confirming she has received charges against her from the ANC. “I am being persecuted because I can no longer toe the party line. My ANC suffocates reason, morality and ethical behaviour.
“I am no longer willing to be an apologist for an organisation and a leader that has lost its way. It is within this context that I have chosen not to accept police protection...”
She accused Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula and his deputy of publicly criticising her and levelling defamatory accusations against her.
“Despite this I am now expected after months of being ignored to now accept security services from the very people who seek to challenge me.”
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal – where she hails from – has put charges before her, including that her public remarks have brought the governing party into disrepute.
The charge sheet states that she used Facebook and public platforms to attack the ANC and that her statements were in breach of the party’s constitution.
Khoza has attacked the leadership of the ANC, especially President Jacob Zuma, saying he was disgraceful and a dishonourable leader.
This is based on revelations of alleged corrupt activities by Zuma and those close to him.
“The said statements were said outside the structures of the ANC. Indeed, you refused and/or failed to use the opportunity provided by the national policy conference which you attended to legitimately raise your views on the platform provided,” the charge sheets read.
Khoza said she respected the processes of the ANC and that she would attend the hearing.
A day before she was charged, Khoza wrote on Facebook that the party’s KwaZuluNatal structure would charge her because “she refuses to die in silence”.
Khoza wrote: “Tomorrow (Wednesday) I understand I’ll be charged by the ANC KZN that has to appear in court because it is accused of having rigged elections. They’ll charge me because I refuse to die in silence.
“The unknown legal status ANC KZN is not just charging Makhosi Khoza‚ it is intimidating the ANC MPs who are like me sick and tired of defending wrongdoing. This is about ensuring specific outcomes on the 8 August 2017 (sic).”
The ANC confirmed yesterday that Khoza has been officially charged‚ although it re- fused to divulge the nature of the charges.
“This is an independent process so I don’t want to disclose more information‚” said ANC provincial secretary‚ Super Zuma. He said Khoza could speak openly about the charges.
“We really need to preserve her rights and we don’t want to expose our case.
We don’t want a situation where she comes to the disciplinary [hearing] and claims she has been dealt with publicly‚” he added.
‘‘ I am being persecuted because I can no longer toe the line