By: Natasha Archary and Nosipho Radebe
Suspended Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane has released audio accusing three ANC MPs of allegedly trying to extort a R600 000 bribe from her husband.
Mkhwebane claims that the recordings include the voice of the late ANC MP Tina Joemat-Petterson who is apparently detailing how the payment should be made.
The audio recordings were allegedly conversations that Joemat-Petterson had with Mkhwebane’s husband, Mandla Skosana.
In the audio clips, the woman who Mkhwebane claims is Joemat-Petterson, can be heard instructing Skosana about when and how the R600 000 bribe money should reach her and two other ANC MPs.
In hushed tones, the woman can be heard saying that her two other colleagues, one of them she referred to as “the chair” are both aware of the arrangement.
The “chair” that Joemat-Petterson referred to was Richard Dyanti, Chair of the Section 194 enquiry.
Joemat-Petterson passed away on 6 June at the age of 59, and details around her death remain sketchy.
The late MP was accused of corruption and mismanagement in her ministerial roles before her passing.
Busisiwe Mkhwebane shared the audio recordings with media on Tuesday, 13 June, on allegations of bribery by some members of the section 194 enquiry looking into her fitness to hold office.
The suspended Public Protector said the reason she held onto the recordings until now, is because she’s aware that mainstream media have always painted her in a bad light.
“Not all the media, but I’ve indicated, some mainstream media, we’ve got a history.
I don’t remember many of you mentioning the positives which I’ve done as the Public Protector, maybe you can show me one article or two.
Hence I know how the media operates, now you come back, you question the cause of death, whether I know. How, how should I know? Because if I’m telling you that the following three arms of the State played their role in making sure that they were not known to be involved in corruption, we wouldn’t find ourselves here.”
Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane addresses the media
Mkhwebane is demanding that Chair Richard Dyanti be removed from chairing the enquiry.
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