Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams decries 'malicious smear campaign' after allegations of abusing state funds for anniversary
20 January 2020
Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams said allegations that she and her husband abused state resources to celebrate their anniversary, is a "malicious smear campaign that must be treated with all the contempt that it deserves".
On Sunday, the Sunday Independent reported that Ndabeni-Abrahams allegedly used thousands of rands in public money while on an official visit to Europe, to also fund her wedding anniversary celebrations by taking her husband, Thato Abrahams, along on working visits to the US and Switzerland, without permission from President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The newspaper also published an allegation that Ndabeni-Abrahams allowed her husband to attend official meetings.
The EFF called on Ramaphosa to take "strong action" against her and said it will ask the Public Protector to investigate the allegations. The EFF also said it was aware of the allegations before its publication.