Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa faces the same dilemma as President Thabo Mbeki: What do you do with your former lieutenant once he is cleared of the allegations that cost him his job in the first place?
Shilowa is facing this dilemma after the National Prosecuting Authority decided not to prosecute former social development provincial minister Bob Mabaso on a complaint of attempted rape and sexual harassment. The charge was laid in January by a female subordinate who is the wife of a prominent Gauteng politician, and a comrade of Mabaso in the ANC.
The woman (whose name is known to the Mail & Guardian) is a long-standing family friend of Mabaso, who stepped down as provincial minister, member of the legislature and chairperson of the South African Communist Party following the complaint.
He was replaced by Kgaugelo Lekgoro, who was redeployed from the National Assembly. Mabaso now says he is ready to be deployed by the ANC.
Shilowa was unavailable for comment, while the ANC said it would complete its own internal disciplinary procedures, as the woman had also laid a complaint with the party. Mabaso countered by formally laying charges within the ANC structures, against the woman who, he said, falsely accused him.
The ANC stayed its disciplinary hearings against the two pending the outcome of the NPA investigations. Mabaso said it was painful to have relinquished his positions ”for an allegation that did not even make sense”.