2 Cabinet Ministers and Top Prosecutor's Shocking WhatsApp Plot to Destroy Deputy President Paul Mashatile's Career LEAKS!

Johannesburg – Deputy President Paul Mashatile finds himself at the centre of a political storm following the emergence of leaked WhatsApp messages suggesting a coordinated effort by two cabinet ministers and a senior official within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to pursue perjury charges against him. The explosive allegations, if proven true, could have far-reaching consequences for the Deputy President, the ruling African National Congress (ANC), and the integrity of the South African justice system.

Sunday World has learned that Mashatile was recently alerted to the existence of these WhatsApp communications, which purportedly detail a scheme to pressure the NPA into prosecuting him on perjury charges. While the identities of the implicated ministers and NPA official are known to this publication, legal considerations prevent their disclosure at this time.

The WhatsApp messages allegedly reveal that the two cabinet ministers instructed the senior NPA official to proceed with charging Mashatile with perjury. This instruction came after a case was opened against the Deputy President by a group of disgruntled ANC members in the North West province, who are challenging the legitimacy of the party's provincial conference held in 2022.

According to the leaked messages, one of the ministers explicitly directed the NPA official to "please proceed with the prosecution." The official, seemingly aware of the sensitivity of the matter, reportedly inquired whether other government leaders were aware of the proposal to charge the Deputy President. In response, the official received a forwarded message suggesting that senior figures were indeed in the loop. The source of this forwarded message was identified as the second minister involved in the alleged plot, who was not a direct participant in the initial conversation.

The WhatsApp exchanges further indicate that the NPA official, while agreeing to move forward with the case, expressed significant reservations about the unprecedented nature of prosecuting a sitting Deputy President. The official is quoted as saying, "it's not often that you get to charge a deputy president of a country."

However, when contacted for comment, the senior NPA official vehemently denied the authenticity of the WhatsApp messages, dismissing them as fabrications. "These days people can fake things; with the technology today, they can put a story that is very believable while it isn’t. Technology has advanced so much," the official stated. "I don’t know ANC people. I don’t know anybody."

The official further asserted their unwavering integrity and denied ever being subjected to political pressure to prosecute anyone. "Nobody will dare try and do that with me. I am proud of my integrity, which I have built over the years," the official added.

Keith Khoza, the acting spokesperson for Deputy President Mashatile, confirmed that the Deputy President had been made aware of the WhatsApp messages last week. "We can confirm that we have seen the Whatsapp messages in question. This exposes the ongoing malicious and political prosecution against the deputy president," Khoza said.

The emergence of these WhatsApp messages adds a new layer of complexity to an already contentious situation. The allegations of a high-level plot to target the Deputy President raise serious concerns about the potential for political interference within the NPA and the integrity of the legal process.

The WhatsApp revelations also come on the heels of a previous decision by the NPA in North West to decline prosecution against Mashatile, citing insufficient evidence. However, the NPA headquarters subsequently instructed the North West branch to re-evaluate its decision, raising questions about the motivations behind this directive.

The case against Mashatile stems from a challenge to the validity of the ANC's North West provincial conference in 2022, where Nono Maloyi was elected as the provincial chairperson. Sello Molefe, an ANC member, and others are contesting the conference's legitimacy, arguing that the interim provincial committee (IPC) that oversaw the proceedings did not have the necessary authorization from the ANC's national executive committee (NEC).

Specifically, the group claims that the IPC's mandate had not been renewed by the NEC, rendering the conference and its outcomes invalid. Mashatile's alleged perjury arises from his sworn affidavit claiming that the NEC had indeed taken a resolution to reappoint the same IPC structure.

However, it has since come to light that some members of the IPC had already resigned or passed away at the time Mashatile made his statement, casting doubt on the veracity of his claims and potentially constituting perjury.

Efforts to reach the two cabinet ministers implicated in the WhatsApp messages for comment have been unsuccessful. They are reportedly attending an NEC meeting that commenced on Friday and is scheduled to conclude tomorrow.

The allegations surrounding Deputy President Mashatile and the leaked WhatsApp messages have ignited a firestorm of speculation and condemnation. Critics argue that the alleged plot represents a blatant attempt to weaponise the criminal justice system for political gain and undermines the rule of law. Supporters of Mashatile, on the other hand, maintain that he is the victim of a politically motivated smear campaign designed to damage his reputation and derail his career.

The unfolding saga has raised several critical questions that demand answers:

• Are the WhatsApp messages authentic? The NPA official's denial of their validity underscores the need for a thorough and independent investigation to verify the authenticity of the communications. Forensic analysis of the messages and the devices from which they were sent could provide crucial evidence.
• Was there undue political pressure exerted on the NPA to prosecute Mashatile? The allegations of ministerial involvement and the subsequent instruction from NPA headquarters to re-evaluate the North West branch's decision raise serious concerns about potential political interference. An independent inquiry is needed to determine whether the NPA's actions were influenced by external factors.
• What is the motivation behind the challenge to the ANC's North West provincial conference? Understanding the underlying political dynamics and grievances within the ANC in the North West province is essential to contextualise the case against Mashatile and assess whether it is indeed politically motivated.
• What are the implications for the ANC and the country? The allegations of a high-level plot to target the Deputy President have the potential to further destabilise the ANC, which is already grappling with internal divisions and declining public support. The scandal could also erode public trust in the government and the justice system, with potentially damaging consequences for South Africa's democracy.