Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana demands apology. Image source: X @SamkeleMaseko
Godongwana responds to R500 million bribe whistleblower
After being accused of trying to solicit a R500 million bribe, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has hit back with a legal letter
Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana demands apology. Image source: X @SamkeleMaseko
Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana has written to local businessman, Mthunzi Mdwaba and warned him to withdraw his accusations within a week. Mdwaba named our Finance Minister among a number of politicians who allegedly tried to solicit a R500 million bribe.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Mbalula opens case over bribe accusation [VIDEO]
The entire country has been left rattled by Mdwaba’s accusations. The businessman is the CEO of Thuja Capital and made headlines when he recently appeared on the news circuit to speak about a failed R5 billion tender his company was applying for. The tender was for a Unemployment Insurance Funds (UIF) job securement program but allegedly fell through when several high-ranking ministers wanted to pocket 10% of the tender.
GODONGWANA AND MBALULA HIT BACK AT MDWABA
When pushed to name exactly who these ministers might be, Mdwaba bravely named and shamed. He accused ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula of being one of the culprits alongside the Minister of Finance, Godongwana. Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi was also implicated.
ALSO READ: Mbalula opens case against Mthunzi Mdwaba over R500m bribe accusation
Mbalula wasted no time in opening a case of Crimen Injuria at the Sandton Police Station in Johannesburg. Meanwhile, Godongwana has issued his own response and demanded that Mdwaba take back his words as soon as possible. The Finance Minister wrote, “You are now required to publicly retract the statements made concerning our client within seven days of receipt of this letter. You are also required to publicly apologize to our client for recklessly making false accusations against him. If you do not do so, our client will institute legal proceedings against you without further notice.”
SOCIAL MEDIA USERS TIRED OF CORRUPTION
With the back and forth happening between Mdwaba and those he’s accused, many South Africans feel as if the only real loser is the taxpayer. Corruption has continued to affect many areas of leadership in our country and this, for many, felt like the latest example of that.
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After seeing Godongwana linked with the alleged bribe, one disappointed user wrote, “This is what they do best instead of delivering a better life for their constituents who they screw over every chance they get. Petty squabbles”
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Mdwaba has yet to respond to Mbalula and Godongwana’s legal steps. Should he choose not to retract his words, it will be interesting how much further action the two politicians will be willing to take in order to clear their names.
