Being social butterfly Khanyi Mbau’s ex is not his only claim to fame. Theunis Crous is also a politically connected businessman who believes in “socialist” principles and donates 10% of his company’s profits to the ANC.
Crous, married to model Primrose Crous, burst on to the local celebrity scene in December when he was revealed as Mbau’s sugar daddy.
Little was known about the 51-year-old construction boss before he was spotted at Mbau’s side at various A-grade parties, including the ANC’s birthday dinner in Kimberley on January 8.
The Mail & Guardian has established that Crous is the managing director of the Ho Hup Corporation, a construction company that has benefited from a number of government building contracts in the Eastern Cape. This week Crous agreed to speak to us on condition that we did not discuss Mbau, whom he dumped this week and called a “witch”.
What is your background?
I joined the ANC in 1989. We started a branch in Jeffreys Bay. I’m originally from Pretoria, from an Afrikaans family. I took a lot of flak, but my father was very much a liberal person, not a Broederbonder. We were always taught as children to respect all races.
How are you connected to the ANC?
I know pretty much everyone in the ANC in the Eastern Cape. I always supported the ANC wherever I could. Today we contribute a huge amount of profits to the ANC. Not specifically the ANC, but specific projects. Where people’s houses are burned down, we would rebuild them.
Do you give the ANC money?
Of course. I run my business not on a capitalist approach, but on a socialistic approach. Certain amounts of profits are ploughed back. If it weren’t for the ANC, the country would not be where it is. I feel obliged to give back. But I don’t give money to individuals.
Isn’t there a risk in giving money to the ANC and doing business with government?
I’m not shy to say [that I’m donating to the ANC]. I’m proud of doing that. I’m not asking for favours, I actually think I sometimes get hammered because I do this. Some professionals used the ANC to get top jobs and enrich themselves. Look at the newspapers, how many people get caught with their fingers in the till? In the past I lost jobs because I wouldn’t give money to officials. Because my business was based on principles, I survived.
Who invited you to the ANC’s birthday dinner?
I don’t want to mention people.
Were you also close to the ANC during the Mbeki era?
The Mbeki era wasn’t a good era for me. Look at how little [sic] white people are left in the ANC today. With the new president [Jacob Zuma] on board things have changed a lot. He’s an accessible, open person. He’s there for everybody. He changed the style of the ANC; he brought it back to what it should be.
Have you discussed (business) opportunities with Zuma?
I’m not gonna comment.
ANC politician Stone Sizani was previously your business partner. Isn’t that problematic?
Me and Stone had a business relationship. But it was typical of the Mbeki era — Stone wasn’t the flavour of the day so we tried to do business with government, but couldn’t succeed. Stone and Mbeki didn’t see eye to eye. Look at the change after Mbeki went. Things changed completely. I haven’t had a request [for a bribe] in the last couple of months. But you still find it in the Western Cape, where a mayor or official would ask you for a handout. I should show you the SMS I got today.
Should politicians be in business?
I don’t know where this rule is that you can’t do business if you’re a politician. It was created by the Mbeki era, where everyone that was doing business was investigated. When we [politicians in business] met at the Michelangelo Hotel [in Sandton] we had to do business behind closed doors because you didn’t know if you would be investigated. This thing of investigating the whole world is coming to an end. People are doing business again. You will see some serious business in the country in the next year or two.
How should government fight corruption?
It starts from the top and goes down. If a mayor does a good job, the councillor will too. This is the problem we had in South Africa until Zuma took over. Officials were running the country, politicians were not in charge. Now politicians are in charge.
How rich are you?
What is rich? I’ve worked for what I have. I haven’t inherited anything, I haven’t stolen from anyone. I enjoy the profits that I have. A person that is rich shares his wealth with others. If I share what I have I will also become rich.