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By Siviwe Feketha 
4h ago
Johannesburg – The words of war continued between the Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) and Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula on Monday over the SA Passenger Rail Agency (Prasa) decision to eliminate the companies security officers previously hired to protect the railways.
The cancellation of the security contract was part of Prasa’s new strategy, which involved hiring around 3,000 security guards to protect its infrastructure.
On Monday, the MKMVA organized a protest march in front of the office of Gauteng Prime Minister David Makhura and the ANC House Luthuli headquarters, highlighting the plight of ex-combatants and their exclusion from business opportunities.
The MKMVA accused Mbalula of having contributed to the collapse of the economy, as the removal of security had resulted in the theft of rail infrastructure, severely sabotaging economic activity and disadvantaged commuters who depended on trains.
Responding to the allegations, Mbalula took to social media on Monday and questioned the motive for the MKMVA’s protest and its interest in Prasa’s security contracts.
“Prasa was your dairy cow, I have turned off the taps which is my sin, you used to do what (you) wanted with fake security companies,” said Mbalula.
Prasa was your dairy cow, I have closed the taps which is my sin that you used to do as you wanted with fake security companies. NINYILE
– Minister of Transport | Mr Fix (@MbalulaFikile) October 12, 2020
Mbalula particularly singled out MKMVA president Kebby Maphatsoe and association spokesman Carl Niehaus and accused them of massacre.
“They organize tired self-defense units and call themselves MKs in the old Gupta-sponsored camouflage uniform even worn out,” Mbalula said.
He continued: “I have great admiration for uMkhonto weSizwe, great admiration. What Kebby and Niehaus are doing on his behalf will come to an end one day. I have less respect for thugs posing as MK, period! I rest my case. Ong’funayo makeze ndikhona (anyone who wants me should come, I’m available) ”.
I have great admiration for umkhonto, we also have great admiration 👊what kebby and niehaus are doing on his behalf will come to an end one day, I have less respect for thugs dressed as mk Period! I rest my case. Ong’funayo makeze ndikhona.
– Minister of Transport | Mr Fix (@MbalulaFikile) October 12, 2020
Maphatsoe admitted that at least one member of MKMVA was among the companies whose contracts were canceled in Prasa and that he was starving.
“I know of a member of the company who was doing business in Prasa. They were not corrupt. They applied like others. Now he is suffering from that decision and we cannot allow that, ”he said.
Maphatsoe warned that the MKMVA would actively reject any future deployment of Mbalula to address ANC meetings until it apologizes for calling its members thugs.
“Mbalula will never address any ANC meeting because our members will go and interrupt him wherever he is deployed,” Maphatsoe said.
In its memorandum, the MKMVA called for the closure of the State Capture Investigation Commission chaired by Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo and accused it of political bias.
Reading the MKMVA memorandum before handing it over to Luthuli House, the association’s vice president in Johannesburg, Maveleswazini Mabuza, criticized the commission and its work.
“We call for the end of the Zondo Investigation Commission. This initiative has shown beyond any doubt that it had deviated from its intended cause and has now become a political process, ”Mabuza said.
When asked about the reasons for the call to close the commission, Maphatsoe distanced himself from the call and said that the memo was smuggled into the memorandum without his knowledge.
“The drafting committee was infiltrated and I know who was responsible for that,” he said.
Now that the Western Cape High Court has given the go-ahead for Parliament to investigate the fitness of public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to serve, the MKMVA also came to her defense in the memorandum, claiming that she was under attack.
ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe called on Mbalula and the MKMVA to use internal platforms to resolve their differences.
Political Bureau
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