Don't enter fray between Treasury and the Hawks, Mantashe tells ANC leagues

"This matter serves no one by being debated in the public domain. All structures of the ANC, including the Umkhonto WeSizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA), should not enter the fray as they contribute to the cacophony of noise, which promotes general confusion, and the perception of a politically motivated persecution," Mantashe said.

He was addressing the media at Luthuli House in Johannesburg following an ordinary National Working Committee (NWC) meeting on Monday.

Mantashe says the party's NWC has full confidence in Gordhan. 

He, however, warned that Treasury must resist the temptation to think it's untouchable. 

Mantashe also had harsh words for the Hawks, saying its handling of the investigation is delegitimising the process.

"If you want to investigate Pravin Gordhan, it is unnatural to send 27 questions and come back further down the line, send another set of questions and then say come to the head office. If you do that, you are having an element of humiliating this minister and our view is that all agencies of state must do their work, but in a way that is decent," he said.

He says it's his belief that Gordhan must answer any questions the Hawks may have, as long as the correct process is followed.

Eskom and National Treasury

Mantashe said it has been unfortunate that Eskom and the National Treasury have also taken their disagreements to the public domain on matters relating to procurement practices at the power utility. 

"The ANC calls for an urgent meeting between the Ministries of Public Enterprises, Treasury and Energy to decisively deal with this matter in a manner that promotes public confidence," he said.

Allegations of impropriety at the Prasa

Mantashe says the ruling party has noted and categorically rejects allegations claiming that the organisation received a bribe of R80 million on a contract to supply locomotives awarded to Swifambo Rail Leasing by PRASA.

"We place it on record that the ANC has not received any money from Prasa or the said company. We distance the ANC from any correspondence that would have transpired between the protagonists in this matter. We further denounce the peddling of the name of the organisation by individuals in any improper deals they may have been involved in. Companies and individuals that are duped into believing they are dealing with bona fide representatives of the ANC must report these matters to the ANC to halt this indiscriminate practice that brings the organisation into disrepute," he said.

He says the ANC calls for an investigation by law enforcement agencies into these bribery allegations. 

"Action must and will be taken where any conduct by the organisation or of its members is inconsistent with the rule of law and our own disciplinary code."