Disgruntled members of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) have approached law enforcement to lodge criminal complaints against senior party leadership, alleging financial misconduct and the defeat of the ends of justice.
Speaking from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) offices in Gauteng in Wednesday, party member Berthwell Chakoane stated that members sought to open new fraud cases and reactivate a criminal complaint initially lodged in July by recently expelled Member of Parliament, Pumlani Kubukeli.
Kubukeli originally filed a fraud complaint on July 30 based on an internal audit report. However, on August 2, Kubukeli deposed a subsequent affidavit, which The National has seen, stating he had been contacted by MKP second deputy president Tony Yengeni, who reportedly conveyed an instruction from party president Jacob Zuma to withdraw the case. The reason given was that Zuma was going to handle the matter himself.
Chakoane claimed that law enforcement officials declined to close the initial docket, citing concerns over potential duress surrounding the withdrawal request. Among the fresh allegations raised are claims of widespread financial irregularities involving party funds, as well as the use of forged signatures to authorise payments.
Speaking on the matter Chakoane said: “We are here to open cases of fraud for different people. We are opening a case of defeating the ends of justice for Yengeni because he forced Kubukeli to withdraw a criminal case, that is a crime itself. Millions of party funds have been looted both in Parliament and outside,” he alleged.
The allegations remain untested at this stage.
In a statement issued by members who referred to themselves as military veterans and custodians of the revolutionary tradition that gave birth to the MK Party, they said that they could no longer remain silent while the organisation is being weakened by internal divisions, factional interests and allegations of corruption and financial misconduct.
“The MK Party was not established to become a vehicle for personal enrichment, political patronage, factional advancement or the protection of individuals facing allegations of wrongdoing. It was established as a political instrument of the people, carrying the historical name, sacrifices and revolutionary legacy associated with uMkhonto weSizwe. That legacy must never be used to shield corruption or place any individual above accountability,” read the statement.
The group also raised concerns that members who are critical of the current party leadership have been threatened.
Yengeni has not commented on the allegations. Party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu had yet to respond to questions by the time of publication regarding the opening of cases and the allegations against senior party officials.
Hawks national spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said she would have to contact Gauteng provincial Hawks office and revert. However she had not confirmed the opening of the cases at the time of publication.
willem.phungula@nationalmg.co.za