Mabuza says interim order is ‘political’ smear campaign
Premier blames Phosa for action
ANC deputy president and Mpumalanga premier David Mabuza has dismissed the interim protection order against him as nothing more than a political smear campaign.
Last week Mpumalanga sustainability developer and conservationist Frederick Daniel obtained an interim protection order to stop Mabuza from interfering in his business operations and from harassing him‚ his family and staff.
But Mabuza‚ in a statement‚ hit back at Daniel and his lawyer‚ Mathews Phosa‚ whom he labelled a “failed ANC presidential candidate”.
Mabuza said he now understood why his name and integrity were targeted
“This is because of Phosa’s involvement and political agenda,” he said.
He described the order as “bizarre”.
“Daniel has made frivolous allegations, including defaming me and has committed perjury,” Mabuza said.
“I welcome the day that I can appear in court to answer these allegations.”
He accused Daniel of abusing the courts through his “sensational‚ frivolous and thumb-sucked allegations”.
Daniel claimed that Mabuza was behind the stopping of his applications to secure permits to operate his business – a nature reserve between Badplaas and Barberton, and the gateway to one of SA’s most pristine biodiversity areas
He maintained that Mabuza’s harassment stemmed from him blowing the whistle on an alleged R2.1-billion fake land claim scam‚ which allegedly involved Mabuza, before he was elected deputy ANC president.
Daniel has a R2.5-billion lawsuit in the North Gauteng High Court against Mabuza and officials in several Mpumalanga government departments‚ including the provincial tourism and parks agency.
He claimed to have lost business because the province refused to grant him permits to operate his luxury nature reserve.
“If Daniel, with his cohorts, have any evidence of any wrongdoing‚ in particular of a criminal nature‚ he can lay the charges directly with the Hawks and the public protector.”
He threatened to lay charges of perjury against Daniel.
Phosa said he was entitled to act as Daniel’s lawyer.
He added that Mabuza must stop attacking him.