‘Campaign to vilify my name’
Embattled home affairs minister Malusi Gigaba has accused parliament’s public enterprises portfolio committee of joining a well-orchestrated political campaign to vilify him.
This comes after Business Day reported on Monday that a draft report on state capture at Eskom‚ compiled by the committee‚ names Gigaba as one of the government officials suspected of being “captured” and who should be criminally investigated.
Speaking on the sidelines of a walkabout at the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp on Monday‚ Gigaba said he would consult his lawyers on dealing with the leak and the report contents.
“This is part of a well-orchestrated campaign to vilify my name in terms of which things are leaked deliberately without giving me first preference to respond to the allegations‚ because I’ve not been given the privilege of receiving the draft report to study it and comment on it so I can correct any inaccuracies,” he said.
He accused the committee of joining the campaign.
“It’s a well-orchestrated political campaign.
“It is unfortunate that the portfolio committee has thrown itself into the very same process.
“I am a member of the ANC in good standing – I don’t deserve to be treated in this fashion. It is unfair,” he said.
“I am going to have to consult with the ANC [on] how they are going to respond to this. I am going to consult my lawyers.” –