EC Premier Oscar Mabuyane wants courts to stop Hawks investigation

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has approached the Bhisho High Court in a bid have the Hawks’ decision to continue with an investigation into him be declared invalid, unconstitutional and unlawful.

Mabuyane filed the court papers just weeks before Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane released a report which found that he benefitted to the tune of R450 000 from a from a R1.1 million tender that was meant for the memorial service of struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. The public protector says the funds were directed towards the renovation of his private residence, when he was the province’s Economic Development MEC.

It was Buffalo City metro resident Xolile Mashukuca who lodged the complaint in July 2019 following a report in a local newspaper.

Oscar Mabuyane points fingers at Ace Magashule

It isn’t clear what the Hawks were investigating Oscar Mabuyane for, but he claims to be the victim of a political witch-hunt led by former Free State Premier Ace Magashule.

Mabuyane not only wants the Hawks to not probe him, he also wants the relevant information that pertains to the case. He says he was questioned by a Hawks official in the Free State back in August. The premier is suspiscious about the fact that the probe is being conducted in Magashule’s home province, despite the crime having supposedly taken place in the Eastern Cape.

“I have been informed by a confidential source, who I have no reason to disbelief that certain political elements within the ANC who are opposed to my leadership are behind the investigation, and have tried to influence the DPCI,” Mabuyane says in his affidavit.

“They never denied Mr Magashule’s influence in their decision to commence an investigation. I indicated that it was not a coincidence that the case was being investigated by the Free State Office of the DPCI after Mr Magahule, who was premier of the Free State province and chairperson of the ANC in that province, had made allegations against me.”

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane