The Democratic Alliance (DA) has condemned the swearing in of former State-Owned Enterprises leaders as uMkhonto weSizwe (MKP) MPs as an affront to the country’s citizenry.
Former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe, former Transnet leader Siyabonga Gama, former Prasa CEO Lucky Montana, and Mzwanele Manyi were sworn in at Cape Town’s Good Hope Chamber on Wednesday.
Speaker Thoko Didiza facilitated the event.
Following Jacob Zuma’s swearing-in, the MK party nominated Manyi, who formerly worked for the EFF, as the party’s top whip.
According to MKP spokeswoman Nhlamulo Ndhlela, Manyi has succeeded Sihle Ngubane.
Meanwhile, George Michalakis, the Democratic Alliance’s senior whip, has condemned the four MPs’ swearing-in as an insult to the country’s population due to their involvement in state capture.
“The swearing-in of individuals implicated in state capture as members of Parliament for the MK Party today is a travesty and an insult to the people of South Africa, who have suffered the devastating consequences of corruption and mismanagement under the very individuals now poised to represent them in Parliament.”
According to Michalakis, Montana played a key role in the state’s takeover of Prasa.
The Chief Justice Raymond Zondo Commission concluded that Montana played a role in choosing which service companies would obtain important tenders, so undermining the basic foundation of our public transportation system. This was during Zuma’s tenure.
Gama’s tenure was tarnished by allegations of corruption. Gama’s role in granting lucrative contracts at Transnet shows the pervasive corruption that has afflicted our state-owned firms.
“Molefe, the former Eskom and Transnet CEO, has been identified as a primary architect of state capture at Transnet. Molefe’s actions have contributed to the erosion of public trust in our key state institutions.”
He said Manyi, who was the GCIS boss and Zuma’s spokesperson, was found by the Zondo Commission to have been an enabler of state capture during his tenure.
“Manyi’s influence during one of the darkest periods of our democracy should disqualify him from holding any public office,” Michalakis said.
In addition, he further said that these individuals are not suitable to hold such positions in Parliament that should uphold the principles of democracy and accountability with integrity at its core.
“Their presence in this body serves as a clear indication of how deep-rooted corruption has seeped into our political framework,” he said.
The other new MPs sworn-in for Zuma’s eight-months old party, include Limpopo disco and reality television star Gezane Eric Kobane, known as Papa Penny, Thulani Gamede, Thembisile Mjadu and Nompumelelo Gasa.
