Yet another ANC middle finger for voters
The ANC again insults South Africa by having its first deputy secretary-general, the disgraced Nomvula Mokonyane, front its local election campaign. Voters have not forgotten who she is.
In 2019 Mokonyane was implicated in corruption by Angelo Agrizzi, the former COO of Bosasa. He testified before the Zondo commission that Bosasa had paid Mokonyane a monthly cash retainer as part of an attempt to curry favour with ANC politicians who could influence the allocation of state contracts. Other witnesses claimed that Bosasa had paid for a birthday party for her, for groceries for her family, for security upgrades at her home and possibly for her Aston Martin.
When Mokonyane testified before the commission in July 2020, she admitted that she had been friendly with Bosasa CEO Gavin Watson but denied getting any bribes or personal gifts from Bosasa. The commission called her again in September 2020 after the owner of a guesthouse in Krugersdorp claimed that Mokonyane’s 40th birthday party in 2003 had been held at his property and had been financed by a R41,000 contribution from Bosasa. Mokonyane said she had forgotten about the party and did not know who had paid for it.
The Zondo report recommended that the National Prosecuting Authority prosecute Mokonyane on charges of corruption and found that there were “clearly extensive attempts by Bosasa and its leaders, through various forms of inducement and gain, to influence Ms Mokonyane in her position as a member of the national executive, the provincial executive and office bearer in organs of state”. According to the commission, there was sufficient prima facie evidence to establish that Mokonyane had accepted gratifications from Bosasa — particularly in respect of the cash payments, birthday party, and house upgrades — and to establish that Mokonyane had been dishonest in denying knowledge of the inducements while testifying before the commission.
This is the politician put up by the ANC to lead its 2026 local election campaign. Nothing more clearly indicates the bankruptcy of the party as it again shows the middle finger to South African voters.
On November 4 there will be a reckoning.
Mark Lowe, Durban
