Are these ministers lawmakers or lawbreakers?

Are these ministers lawmakers or lawbreakers?

Aside from President Ramaphosa’s involvement in a scandal regarding the theft of over half a million US dollars, several newly appointed ministers have been linked to questionable actions in the past.

Criminal charges laid against Paul Mashatile

The Democratic Alliance (DA) laid criminal charges against Deputy President Paul Mashatile in February this year following allegations of corruption that have spanned almost two decades.

These allegations include an intricate web of nepotism and family patronage, of which Mashatile is allegedly the beneficiary. The most recent scandal involved the purchase of a R28.9 million Constantia mansion by Mashatile’s son-in-law, bought through his company. The company allegedly still owes the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements R7 million for a failed housing project.

Senzo Mchunu

The Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, was linked to a sexual harassment scandal dating back to 2018. A female employee at Luthuli House, the ANC’s headquarters, reportedly accused Mchunu of making unwanted sexual advances. It included kissing her, touching her inappropriately, and then firing her after she laid a complaint about his advances.

Gayton McKenzie – ex-convict and gang leader

According to Daily Maverick, the South African Constitution prohibits anyone from running for public office in South Africa if they have previously been convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to more than 12 months’ imprisonment. This only applies to crimes committed after 1996.

However, it also states that this prohibition falls away five years after the accused has completed the sentence. This is probably the reason why Gayton McKenzie could become part pf the newly appointed cabinet.

McKenzie is the new Minister for Sports, Arts and Culture.

The court found him guilty of armed robbery in 1996 and sent him to jail. The authorities released him in 2003. Not a stranger to crime, McKenzie was also a notorious Americans gangster and leader of a prison ‘26’ gang.

McKenzie formed the Patriotic Alliance (PA) in 2013 together with Kenny Kunene. Their election manifesto included reinstating the death penalty, the elevation of royal and local leaders, a greater push for industrialisation, and mandatory military service.

Charges against Blade Nzimande

Earlier this year, the DA laid criminal charges against Blade Nzimande amid allegations of corruption at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Nzimande is the new Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Nzimande is at the centre of a report by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) that contains a leaked audio recording of an alleged meeting between Nzimande, NSFAS board chairperson Ernest Khosa, and a service provider. Outa believes the recordings prove the minister and Khosa received kickbacks from companies doing business with the student fund.