/ 29 October 2011

Mbalula misses deadline to give his side of the story

Mbalula Misses Deadline To Give His Side Of The Story

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula failed to buy more time to comment on a City Press story implicating him in a sex scandal on Saturday, the department said.

“We were not trying to stop the story from being published … only to have more time to send our comments to City Press, and we were too late,” said spokesperson Paena Galane.

City Press editor Ferial Haffajee said Mbalula had not answered questions sent to him on Thursday afternoon.

Galane said the minister received the questions on Thursday night and was “in consultation” on Friday.

He said when Mbalula approached the South Gauteng High Court on Saturday, the application could be heard only at 6pm.

“And that was too late because City Press says it goes to print at 6pm tonight [Saturday].”

When asked if the minister would still submit his response after the story was published, Galane said he would not, because it would be too late.

Haffajee confirmed that the story concerned Mbalula.

Minister on the move
Mbalula became one of the ANC’s youngest deputy ministers in May 2009, moving into the police portfolio straight from a position as ANC elections chief. With no experience as an MP or government official, he rose quickly to a full ministry position.

He hit the ground running as Sports Minister, making several high-profile interventions — notably in the Cricket South Africa leadership battle and the collapse of the Gauteng Lions empowerment deal — moves clearly meant to raise his public ­profile and popularity. – Sapa and Staff reporter