ANC Northern Cape re-elects corrupt leadership in Kenny Kunene's tent
The ANC in the Northern Cape has proven once again that it cannot be saved from itself as all five of its serving provincial leaders were re-elected by landslide margins today.
The congress took place in a one-of-a-kind imported tent owned by Kenny Kunene and his business partner Gayton McKenzie - who was on the scene to set up. Kunene is opening a ZAR in Kimberley, the provincial capital, and also attended the Premier's office budget vote recently as an invited guest.
Perhaps it's suitable that the event had the air of shady business - every member of the re-elected top five either faces formal corruption charges, has been found guilty of corruption or is linked to serious corruption allegations.
The roll of dishonour includes:
John Block (Chairperson) - currently facing fraud, racketeering, money laundering and bribery charges for hundreds of millions of Rands worth of government contracts he was allegedly paid to arrange for a Uruguayan company. He's also been found guilty of illegal mining with a forged permit.
Zamani Saul (Provincial Secretary) - a R590 000 Mercedes Benz was irregularly bought by the provincial legislature with public funds and registered in the name of Mr Saul - the AG found the transaction to be irregular and the Hawks are investigating.
Yolanda Botha (Treasurer) - found guilty by an ethics committee for lying to Parliament about benefits she received from a company, Trifecta, which was irregularly awarded multi-million rand tenders by the Social Development Department during Botha's time as HOD.
Alvin Botes (Deputy Secretary) - Botes was the MEC at the time when Botha benefitted from the Trifecta deals - he is also linked to Trifecta.
Kenny Mmoeimang (Deputy Chairperson) - controversially extended the contract of a politically connected security company, Kapa Bokane, with the local government department of which he is the MEC - the same company provided the security for the ANC congress.
Today the ANC voted for corruption, cronyism and the continued failure of delivery from provincial government.
The re-election of these candidates sends a clear message from the ANC to the people of the Northern Cape: this is not a party that cares about good governance or about ethical leadership.
The DA will continue to build a new majority in the Northern Cape that will, on a day not far from now, govern this province in the interests of all the people.
Statement issued by Andrew Louw, DA Northern Cape Leader, June 8 2012
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