The African National Congress (ANC) on Wednesday said it had “no knowledge” of funds being “channelled to it via a number of companies from the Public Investment Corporation (PIC)”.
The party described allegations to this effect made to the public protector by United Democratic Movement (UDM) president Bantu Holomisa as “false and baseless”.
But‚ said its treasurer-general Zweli Mkhize‚ the “ANC respects the right and obligation of any individual to request a formal enquiry where there is suspicion of fraudulent and corrupt activities and will therefore cooperate fully with the investigation‚ if requested”.
Holomisa said the money was used to pay party employees’ salaries and for the ANC’s birthday celebrations in Rustenberg two weeks ago.
In his complaint‚ Holomisa calls on Thuli Madonsela to investigate:
- A R40-million payment from the PIC to the ANC during the second week of last month‚ allegedly for ANC staff salaries and the anniversary bash;
- An transfer of R2-million from a PIC account to private equity company Harith General Partners‚ also for the benefit of the ruling party; and
- A R1.5-billion transaction‚ to help an overseas-based investment company with interests in the rest of Africa buy into SA-based assets.
“The African National Congress has no knowledge of these transactions nor any record of such monies being paid to the organisation‚” said Mkhize.
“It is extremely unfortunate‚ however not unexpected‚ that opposition parties will clutch at straws based on anonymous faceless and nameless sources to tarnish the image of the ANC‚ particularly during an election year.
“The ANC is unwavering in its commitment to fight against misuse and misappropriation of public funds held in trust for the people of South Africa.”
PIC spokesman Sekgoela Sekgoela on Tuesday denied the allegations and undertook to co-operate with the public protector should the investigation go ahead.
The PIC manages about R1.5-trillion in assets on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund
ANC denies knowledge of PIC funds for birthday bash
The African National Congress (ANC) on Wednesday said it had “no knowledge” of funds being “channelled to it via a number of companies from the Public Investment Corporation (PIC)”.
The party described allegations to this effect made to the public protector by United Democratic Movement (UDM) president Bantu Holomisa as “false and baseless”.
But‚ said its treasurer-general Zweli Mkhize‚ the “ANC respects the right and obligation of any individual to request a formal enquiry where there is suspicion of fraudulent and corrupt activities and will therefore cooperate fully with the investigation‚ if requested”.
Holomisa said the money was used to pay party employees’ salaries and for the ANC’s birthday celebrations in Rustenberg two weeks ago.
In his complaint‚ Holomisa calls on Thuli Madonsela to investigate:
- A R40-million payment from the PIC to the ANC during the second week of last month‚ allegedly for ANC staff salaries and the anniversary bash;
- An transfer of R2-million from a PIC account to private equity company Harith General Partners‚ also for the benefit of the ruling party; and
- A R1.5-billion transaction‚ to help an overseas-based investment company with interests in the rest of Africa buy into SA-based assets.
“The African National Congress has no knowledge of these transactions nor any record of such monies being paid to the organisation‚” said Mkhize.
“It is extremely unfortunate‚ however not unexpected‚ that opposition parties will clutch at straws based on anonymous faceless and nameless sources to tarnish the image of the ANC‚ particularly during an election year.
“The ANC is unwavering in its commitment to fight against misuse and misappropriation of public funds held in trust for the people of South Africa.”
PIC spokesman Sekgoela Sekgoela on Tuesday denied the allegations and undertook to co-operate with the public protector should the investigation go ahead.
The PIC manages about R1.5-trillion in assets on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund
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