Mashaba ‘sabotaged’ in leak of PP draft report, lays charges
Former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba has laid criminal charges at Sandton Police Station over the leak of the Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s draft report into allegations against him during his tenure as mayor.
Mashaba says the leak of the draft report was an act of sabotage.
“It’s a sad day and moment for our country when state institutions are actually being used against civil society. Throughout the three years of my mayorship in the City of Johannesburg there was a weaponisation of the state against me.
“The public protector and the ANC, from time to time, coming up with frivolous accusations.”
Mashaba says the resurfacing of the accusations against him is surprising, noting that the matter was put to rest a while ago.
“We were surprised a few weeks ago when we received a draft report now of the very same cases that were already closed.
“We agreed, with our lawyers, that we will provide the answers by the 19th of June.”
ALSO READ:
EFF, family to sue government for Collins Khoza's death
He was speaking outside the US embassy in Protea on Monday. The party held a demonstration in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement in America protesting against the death of George Floyd who died at the hands of police officers.
It’s uncertain who leaked the reports to at least six media houses, but Mashaba says he has a few culprits in mind.
“My lawyers immediately contacted the public protector to find out who leaked this report,” says Mashaba.
“I don’t think it will be proper for me to disclose the people behind it.”
He adds: “The law does not allow anyone to comment on the draft report because it is a draft.”
Former metro police chief David Tembe also laid charges on Monday.
The report found that Tembe was improperly and irregularly appointed to his position by Mashaba’s administration.
“The public protector’s report can only be made public once they are finalised,” Mashaba says.
“If her final report comes out with these accusations, accusing me like she accused me in her drat then I can assure people of South Africa that I will take them on review.”
The founder of The People’s Dialogue, Mashaba has released a tell-all book‚ The Accidental Mayor, on his time at the helm of the city.