A report put together by Parliament’s home affairs committee has shed disturbing light on a battle between the home affairs department and a senior MP responsible for overseeing the department’s work.
In one corner is Mavuso Msimang, home affairs Director General and the new broom who took over the crisis-ridden department last year. His opposite number is Patrick Chauke, home affairs committee chairperson.
In part the conflict is seen as reflecting the larger war between President Thabo Mbeki and ANC president Jacob Zuma.
The dispute has become so acrimonious that the committee has asked Speaker of Parliament Baleka Mbete to refer it to Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula or initiate a debate in the National Assembly.
Chauke is not the retiring kind — officials have been reluctant to appear before his committee because of his bullying tactics. But he met his match when Msimang took the reins.
The committee’s report, prepared for Mbete, describes how the two men first crossed swords when Chauke wanted to summon provincial managers of the department to appear before the committee. Msimang objected, saying questions about the provinces should be directed to him.
It also relates that Msimang accused the committee of compromising home affairs procurement procedures by allowing German companies MAN Ferrostaal and Bundesdruckerei, both bidding for a lucrative smart card and e-passport contract, to wine and dine committee members in June last year.
Chauke allegedly fuelled suspicions by demanding that the chief executive of the government printing works, Tom Moyane, hand over a report on his (Moyane’s) trip to MAN Ferrostaal.
Moyane objected, telling Chauke the report would be sent to the parliamentary committee through the normal channels. The MP, however, insisted on receiving a draft report.
Chauke told the Mail & Guardian he wanted the report because the officials tended to overspend on overseas trips.
The committee’s account to Mbete also reveals that Msimang accused Chauke and fellow ANC MP Kgoloko Morwamoche of colluding with home affairs officials suspended by Msimang on suspicion of graft.
Central to the saga is Chauke’s close friendship with Deputy Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba. He is alleged to have sent a note to Gigaba declaring the department would not succeed in prosecuting the suspended chief financial officer, Pat Nkambule.
The report describes how the note was relayed to Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who gave it to Msimang.
While neither denying nor confirming the existence of the note, Chauke has demanded that Msimang furnish proof of it. Msimang has refused to do this.
”Between myself and the minister and the deputy minister we communicate in many ways,” Chauke said this week.
ANC members interviewed by the M&G see larger dynamics at work.
Some believe Chauke is trying to raise his profile in advance of the ANC’s election list process by undermining an official appointed by Mbeki and perceived to be close to him.
The ANC list conference is expected to be held in August or September this year.
”There are some who think those who are loud will get a higher place on the list,” said a supporter of Msimang.
It is also said that Gigaba — who has deftly switched allegiances from Mbeki to Zuma in recent months — has his eye on the home affairs ministry in the next government and has promised to make Chauke his deputy.
One source said Chauke was using the post-Polokwane tactic of highlighting the weaknesses of the Mbeki government in the name of accountability.
In recent months Zuma-supporting MPs have suddenly become vocal in their criticism of government and its officials.
Chauke vehemently denies positioning himself for higher rank in the ANC.
”It’s not about positions; it’s about where the ANC wants to deploy me,” he told the M&G.
Msimang refused to discuss the matter. ”I’ve agreed with the committee that I won’t talk to the media,” he said this week.
Insiders say Msimang has little chance of winning the battle because the ANC’s powerful pro-Zuma political committee, chaired by Mbete, stands firmly behind Chauke.
”Without the support of the political committee and the ANC chief whip he [Chauke] would not be carrying on like this,” an ANC MP said.
The sources said Mapisa-Nqakula backed Msimang, but was playing her cards carefully because she ”has her future in a post-Mbeki government to think about”.