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.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.
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.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.”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.”