Mkhize blasts Sodi’s personal donation claims as ‘offensive sensationalism’
African National Congress NEC member and former Treasurer-General Zweli Mkhize has strongly refuted allegations that he received money from Edwin Sodi, but confirmed that the ANC-affiliated businessman made donations worth millions to the ruling party.
In a statement, Mkhize, now South Africa’s health minister, emphasised that the donations were “never for his own personal benefit,” but for the party.
“I can confirm that during my tenure as the ANC Treasurer General, Mr Sodi, just like many other business persons, companies and organisations made donations to the African National Congress.”
“In fact, when I took over as the TG (Treasurer-General), Mr Sodi’s contacts were available in the ANC Donors database as one of the people who had previously donated to the ANC.”
Sodi, a director of Blackhead Consulting, appeared before the state capture inquiry this past week to testify on his company’s involvement in a controversial R255 million asbestos audit project in the Free State.
Marking Mkhize
Sodi said he made several donations to the ANC and “ANC politicians.”
He confirmed using Zweli Mkhize’s name in a R6.5 million donation because Mkhize was the ANC Treasurer-General at the time.
Mkhize explained that Sodi made the following donations to the ANC:
- R3 million on 28 February, 2014
- R3.5 million on 3 April, 2014
- R1.5 million on 29 September, 2015
- R150,000 on 8 January, 2016
“I once again state categorically that the above payments were deposited directly into ANC’s official bank accounts. I therefore can only assume that the name Zweli Mkhize was used by the donor as a reference, given my capacity at the time as the Treasurer-General.”
“Furthermore, Mkhize said, “I wish to emphasise that all the donations we received made voluntary. They were never transactional or linked to securing work from government.”
‘No relationship with Sodi’
Mkhize underlined that he does not have a “personal, professional of business relationship” with Sodi, who has since appeared before a Free State court on fraud and corruption charges.
He further disputed the DA’s claim that he failed to declare Sodi’s donations to Parliament, saying he was not an MP at the time and therefore had no obligation to declare.
“In any event, [I] did not benefit directly from these donations,” he emphasised.
Mkhize said law enforcement agencies must investigate any wrongdoing and legal processes must run their course. However, he said, individual’s names should not be tarnished without evidence, he added.
“I for one, take serious exception to insinuations, irresponsible and false comments made by some that I personally received monies from Mr Sodi.”
This is “offensive sensationalism” said Mkhize.
No comments: