/ 21 August 2007

Madisha, SACP to meet over missing money

Congress of South African Trade Unions president Willie Madisha has agreed to meet the South African Communist Party (SACP) to discuss issues around missing donations, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported.

No date has been set.

This was confirmed by SACP treasurer Phumulo Masualle, who will lead the investigation into the R500 000 donation saga. Masualle said he spoke to Madisha, who agreed to the meeting.

The money involved was apparently loaded into the boot of a car belonging to Madisha.

Pretoria businessman Charles Modise is said to have given the money to Madisha in 2002 for delivery to the party. However, SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande has denied receiving money from any person.

”I wish to place it on record that I have never received the alleged R500 000 from any person, as is alleged. As the SACP has said, this is part of a concerted smear campaign primarily directed at discrediting the image and reputation of the SACP and tarnishing my image and integrity,” Nzimande said in a statement on Sunday.

He said the allegation that he had received the funds was ”laughable and nonsensical”.

”How come a complaint is laid against me, by a person who never gave the money to me and who I have never met in my life?

”How on earth, as is alleged, would I receive money from a member of the party who sits in all its senior structures, including the financial committee, not deposit it, and hope that it would not be immediately picked up?” he asked.

Madisha could not be reached for comment on the meeting. — Sapa