‘Where is our R26bn?’

NEW PARTY SAYS THULI PROTECTS WHITE CASH

R26 billion that disappeared in apartheid years is ‘money for our people’.

Resource constraints were among some of the issues holding up the finalisation of the public protector’s investigation into allegations that billions of rands disappeared in the final years of apartheid.

The allegations stem from a 1997-report by UK-based private investigations company Ciex, which claimed to identify about R26 billion which was stolen, laundered or held offshore illegally by apartheid-era bankers, arms dealers and senior politicians, according to opensecrets.org.za

Despite being told about the public protector’s constraints at the end of September, Andile Mngxitama and about 12 members of his newly formed Black First Land First party went to the public protector’s office in Hatfield yesterday to stage a sit-in.

Mngxitama arrived at Thuli Madonsela’s offices just after lunch time demanding to meet with the public protector, who was locked in a meeting with Prasa representatives.

Mngxitama was told Madonsela was preparing to travel to Cape Town and could not meet with the group. He refused to meet with the deputy public protector, as well as suggestions to set a date for a meeting at a later stage.

The group invaded the reception area, chanted and danced holding placards calling for answers into the investigation.

“Thuli is a liar” and “Protecting white capitalism” were two of the posters, while another called for former president Thabo Mbeki to “tell the truth”.

“We are demanding accountability for the R26 billion that was stolen. That’s money for our people that should be for the poor. Why is she (Madonsela) protecting the whites?” said Mngxitama.

He accused Madonsela of deliberately delaying the investigation.

It’s understood Adv Paul Hoffman requested the public protector to look into allegations that billions of rands were “siphoned” from public funds during the apartheid regime.

The office’s spokesperson, Kgalalelo Masibi, said initially the public protector had taken a decision not to take up the matter and communicated her decision and reasons to the complainant.

Masibi said Madonsela hoped to complete the investigation by year-end and issue a report by March. – valeska@ citizen.co.za

Picture: Alaister Russell Black First Land First members demand a response to a probe into alleged mismanagement of R26 billion accumulated in the last decade of the apartheid government. The public protector’s office has not finished the report due to resource constraints.