ANC to study public protector's scathing report into Mbalula
The African National Congress (ANC) has welcomed the report
by the Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane into a Dubai trip undertaken by
former minister of sport and recreation Fikile Mbalula.
Mkhwebane's investigation revealed that the trip was partially financed by sport supplier Sedgars Sport.
The trip took place while Sedgars Sport was conducting business with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc).
It is believed that the trip cost more than R600 000, of which R300 000 was paid by the company.
However, when the matter was reported in the media, Mbalula stated the money was loaned to him.
"I do not accept that he arrangement between them constituted a loan agreement," Mkhwebane told the media in Pretoria on Wednesday.
ANC spokesperson Dakota Legoete says the party will interrogate Mkhwebane's findings.
"To check the reports implication of us as the African National Congress, moreover comrade Mbalula is our head of elections," says Legoete.
Legoete says the party respects the office of the public protector, however, the ANC also has full confidence in Mbalula.
"We are of the view that comrade Mbalula… he has every right to take this matter on review if the legal advice says so."
He adds the party will implement the funding on the public protector.
Mkhwebane's report had no remedial action against Mbalula as he is no longer a member of the executive.
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