R680 000 ‘family holiday’ in Dubai gives ANC SG Fikile Mbalula sleepless night 8 years later

r680 000 ‘family holiday’ in dubai gives anc sg fikile mbalula sleepless night 8 years later

R680 000 ‘family holiday’ in Dubai gives ANC SG Fikile Mbalula sleepless night 8 years later

Eight years after ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula travelled to Dubai for a R680 000 family holiday, he might have to face charges of corruption.

This after Non Profit Organisation (NPO), AfriForum announced on Wednesday that it would be challenging the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on its 2023 decision not to prosecute Mbalula after a case was laid against him at the Brooklyn police station relating to the trip.

This decision would pave the way for the Afrikaans lobby group to privately prosecute the politician days before the May 29 elections.

The matter was widely reported on in 2016, when Mbalula was sports minister, and spoilt his family on a luxurious holiday in Dubai, from December 2016 to January 2017, blowing about R680 000 that was allegedly acquired from a service provider.

The matter was thrown in the spotlight after it was discovered that Sedgars Sports, a supplier company to the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), reportedly paid for Mbalula's holiday package.

This prompted then public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, in 2019, to recommend that the NPA investigate whether the trip was funded with proceeds of corruption.

In Mkhwebane’s report she had found that Sedgars Sport had paid about R300 000 for the trip which totalled R680 000.

However, Mbalula denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the money was a loan to him which he had paid back.

Mkhwebane found that Mbalula had violated the Executive Ethics Act, however, the NPA declined to prosecute, citing lack of evidence.

Mbalula did not respond to texts sent to him yesterday while his phone rang unanswered.

Yesterday, AfriForum spokesperson Barry Bateman said the organisation’s private prosecution unit, had last Friday obtained a docket from the SAPS following a successful Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application.

“A significant step has been taken towards privately prosecuting ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula on charges of corruption related to his 2016 family holiday to Dubai,” said Bateman.

The unit was convinced that Mbalula had a case to answer to after a “cursory inspection” of the evidence, he said. “It is abundantly clear that the decision not to prosecute Mbalula was irrational.

“The evidence suggests collusion between witnesses and the SAPS; a failure to obtain statements from important witnesses and possible suspects; a failure to obtain valuable records and data; and poor co-operation between the SAPS and prosecutors,” Bateman said.

After identifying portions of the record that were not disclosed in compliance with the PAIA, the Private Prosecution Unit would continue engagements to address this “apparent oversight”, he said.

Bateman said the team would be studying the docket.

“Despite shortfalls, the evidence suggests Mbalula has several benefactors who fund his extravagant lifestyle. The question arises, why were these leads not followed up? Claims made in affidavits were accepted at face value and not scrutinised.

“Notably, a statement from one of Mbalula’s main benefactors was not included in the docket.

“We are shocked, but not surprised, because we warned the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of a clear conflict of interest because of the family relations with a senior NPA official.

“Mbalula’s matter may be the clearest case yet of selective prosecution, where a politically connected person and his well-to-do benefactors are sheltered from prosecution,” said Bateman.

He further accused the police and the NPA of protecting Mbalula.

“Considering the poor investigation and irrational decision not to prosecute, it appears that Mbalula has been protected by the police and the NPA.

This has only strengthened the unit’s resolve to ensure Mbalula has his day in court,” he said.

The police ministry and NPA had not responded by the time of going to print.

Pretoria News

[email protected]

OTHER NEWS

17 minutes ago

How much does it really cost to retire to Spain? Everything you need to know before taking the leap, by LIZ ROWLINSON

17 minutes ago

New pair of giant pandas for Adelaide Zoo, Wang Wang and Fu Ni to return to China by end of year

17 minutes ago

Glee star Darren Criss is trolled by fans over his newborn son's VERY unique name

17 minutes ago

'I woke screaming in agony': New mothers reveal how they were sent home with only paracetamol after traumatic births - despite begging for morphine. And how staff callously replied: 'You've just had a baby, what did you expect?'

17 minutes ago

Michael Mosley's life-changing tips on how you can sleep more soundly and pep up your love life

17 minutes ago

How much does it really cost to retire to Spain? Everything you need to know before taking the leap, by LIZ ROWLINSON

20 minutes ago

Nine people, including two children, injured in seemingly random shooting at Michigan splash pad

20 minutes ago

Ruto’s US visit is not a detachment from China

20 minutes ago

Professional Faqs: Can You Take Basil In Liquid Form?

22 minutes ago

Desperate search is launched for missing sailor after boat overturned off Lady Elliot Island leaving his two passengers clinging to the side

25 minutes ago

150,000-per-week star now wants to leave Aston Villa with Jhon Duran

25 minutes ago

Australian Paralympic swim team announced

25 minutes ago

Tony Finau, Ludvig Åberg collapse on 13, kiss U.S. Open chances goodbye

25 minutes ago

Injury to keep All Blacks forward Taukei'aho out of Super Rugby final

27 minutes ago

Labour would improve paternity leave rights amid ‘cultural shift’ – Rayner

27 minutes ago

Anti-Israel protests surround Biden’s star-studded campaign fundraiser in LA

30 minutes ago

Chargers News: Justin Herbert Updates Fans Post-Surgery

30 minutes ago

Was The Excelsior Tank Any Good, & How Many Were Actually Made?

33 minutes ago

Singapore rushes to clean-up oil slick after boat hits stationary fuel supply ship

33 minutes ago

Aussies’ wild act at Antractic station

33 minutes ago

Then and now: what Peter Dutton and the Coalition used to say about a 2030 emissions target

33 minutes ago

Every Israeli, including both Jews and Arabs, is equal in life and death

33 minutes ago

Gretchen Walsh destroys world record in women’s 100m fly at U.S. Olympic swim trials

33 minutes ago

#Cannes2024: TBWAHuntLascaris, Joe Public and Promise named in Cannes shortlists released

33 minutes ago

‘Twists and turns’ in Australia-China ties are over, Li Qiang says – but Penny Wong highlights tensions

33 minutes ago

Why everyone is talking about this old beach shack in quiet coastal town: 'Truly magnificent'

37 minutes ago

I was diagnosed with aggressive cancer at 38 after one tell-tale symptom. I danced my way through chemo with my dad by my side - and then he had a heart attack

39 minutes ago

Dolphins fans show support for head coach McDaniel!

40 minutes ago

Body camera video shows Illinois police officer help snapping turtle cross street safely

40 minutes ago

‘Selling Sunset’s Jason Oppenheim Not Opposed To Christine Quinn Returning To Netflix Series: “I Think Everyone Deserves A Second Chance”

44 minutes ago

Farmers scrambling after record-breaking weather destroys crop used by top chefs around the world: 'I don't know what to do'

44 minutes ago

Saudi King, Crown Prince Receive Cables of Congratulations from Leaders of Islamic Countries on Eid Al-Adha

44 minutes ago

Snoop Dogg matches in pink with his high school sweetheart Shante Broadus as they celebrate 27 years of marriage

44 minutes ago

Video: Kim Kardashian shows off her curves in a fitted outfit as daughter North West sports custom pajamas while celebrating her 11th birthday in NYC

44 minutes ago

Hit Man's Wild Sex Scenes Were Sticky But Not 'Icky' Thanks To ... Pinterest?

44 minutes ago

Top ISIS leader in Somalia was target of US airstrike

44 minutes ago

Wings' Ogunbowale: 'Politics' involved in Olympics selection

44 minutes ago

Bryson DeChambeau enters US Open final round with three-shot lead

49 minutes ago

Edmonton Oilers force Game 5 in Cup Final with 8-1 rout

50 minutes ago

'Incredible moment' Campbell's rivals honoured retiring great