WEDNESDAY, 5.00PM
THE African National Congress internal report on corruption, mismanagement and spying allegations against Gauteng Premier Mathole Motshekga has cleared him on all counts.
ANC secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe told a press conference on Wednesday afternoon that the commission found there was nothing in the evidence placed before it to substantiate allegations of dishonest or fraudulent handling or misappropriation of donor funds while Motshekga was head of the National Institute for Public Interest Law and Research.
The commission also found no evidence of nepotism on Motshekga’s part.
The commission was also briefed to probe the “exact nature of [Motshekga’s] relationship with anybody in so far as it may have had, or has a negative or detrimental effect on the African National Congress”.
The report found no detriment to the ANC in Motshekga’s relationship with Unisa academic and former Renamo (Mozambican rebel movement) front man Andre Thomashausen. The commission also found no substantive evidence that Motshekga had ever spied for the apartheid security apparatus.
On financial accountability, the commission found the institute’s accounting was flawed and insufficient with regard to funds donated by Irish charity Trocaire. The commission also found Motshekga committed at least one serious error of judgment in buying a car without board approval.
With regard to allegations of autocratic management, the report said there was no evidence of a dictorial manner on Motshekga’s behalf, but that his management was “over-centralised”.
The commission did not make any recommendation with regard to Motshekga’s future, leaving the matter in the hands of the ANC’s national working committee. Party sources have suggested to ZA*NOW that Motshekga will not be allowed to stand for re-election as Gauteng ANC leader or premier. It is believed the Motshekga case has put the ANC in a dilemma, with some sectors supporting his immediate dismissal, while others believe he should be allowed to complete his term of office.