In a stunning twist of events, African National Congress (ANC) Chairperson Gwede Mantashe finds himself at the center of a brewing storm, as law enforcement agencies reportedly plan to arrest him in the near future. The pending arrest comes in the wake of revelations that Mantashe received security upgrades at his properties in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape from Bosasa, now known as African Global Operations, a utility firm specializing in government services.
Mantashe has consistently maintained that the security upgrades were arranged through discussions between his former head of security, Mzonke Nyakaza, and a family friend, Papa Leshabane, who served as the chief executive of Bosasa at the time. However, two close allies of Mantashe have recently confirmed to Sunday World that they are aware of elaborate plans to arrest him.
According to one of Mantashe's friends, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the intention behind his imminent arrest is not only to humiliate him but also to portray him as a corrupt figure in the public eye. The friend claimed, "This isn't a criminal matter but a political witch hunt." Expressing doubts about the implications of the Zondo Commission's state capture report on Mantashe, the friend pointed out the lack of evidence linking him to influencing contracts awarded to Bosasa. The friend added, "Zondo did a Bulelani Ngcuka on him for strategic reasons."
The reference to Bulelani Ngcuka alludes to the former head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), who stated in 2003 that there was a "prima facie" case of corruption against former deputy president Jacob Zuma. However, neither Zuma nor Durban businessman Schabir Shaik faced any charges. Similarly, Zondo's report mentioned a "reasonable prospect" of a prima facie case against Mantashe, but his allies argue that the report failed to provide evidence of Mantashe's influence on tenders awarded to Bosasa.
Mantashe's second friend, also choosing anonymity, pointed out the lack of tenders influenced by Mantashe for Bosasa and highlighted the absence of any testimony from Angelo Agrizzi, a former Bosasa executive, supporting such claims. The friend questioned Zondo's findings, stating, "Zondo dismally failed to point out a single tender that Gwede might have influenced for Bosasa."
During his testimony before the Zondo Commission, Mantashe clarified that Nyakaza initially purchased cameras from a retail store, but Leshabane, upon inspecting them, offered to provide superior cameras at his own expense. Mantashe claimed he was unaware that Bosasa technicians or company resources would be involved in the installation. He further emphasized that he was not employed by Bosasa and had no tenders to award, reiterating his position as the ANC's secretary-general at the time.
Despite Mantashe's explanations, Zondo recommended that he be investigated under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (Precca). "In respect of the offence of corruption in terms of Section 23 of Precca, the matter is referred for investigation accordingly," Zondo wrote in his report.
While the Investigative Directorate (ID) is reportedly investigating Mantashe, similar to its inquiries into former speaker of parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and former minister of sports, arts, and culture Zizi Kodwa, the ID spokesperson declined to comment on Mantashe's specific case. Mantashe's spokesperson, Nathi Shabangu, stated that the ANC chairperson was unaware of any ongoing investigation and therefore could not provide further comment.
