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By Sihle Mavuso 
18h ago
Durban – Former ANC Treasurer General (TG) and Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize spoke out and accused former Prasa (South African Passenger Rail Agency) CEO Lucky Montana of lying about a donation that Mkhize allegedly requested on behalf of the ruling. party in 2016.
Mkhize’s rebuttal comes as Montana made further allegations on Monday that Mkhize, while in charge of fundraising for the ruling party, personally provided bank details to Maria Gomes, the Angolan businesswoman who owns the Swifambo railway, to deposit. money.
The money allegedly came from a R2.6 billion tender to supply locomotives to Prasa and Swifambo got a share. Montana alleges that thanks to Mkhize’s efforts, around R80 million was paid to the ruling party.
Montana told Independent Media on Monday that he is confident of his claims and included them in an affidavit he sent to the Zondo commission to investigate the state capture allegations.
He added that he was eager to be called by the commission so he could talk about the alleged corrupt deal.
“I spoke with Dr Mkhize in June / July 2016, who confirmed that he received some of the money and then confirmed it with Ms Gomes in London in September 2016. They both confirmed that the money had been paid to each other.
“I was present when Dr. Mkhize, on more than one occasion, requested money from Ms. Gomes, who agreed to make these payments. These discussions took place at Ms. Gomes’ home in Athol, Johannesburg, ”Montana said Monday.
In response to Montana’s accusations on Tuesday, Mkhize, through his spokesman, Lwazi Manzi, dismissed the accusations as “misleading.”
“Dr. Mkhize and the ANC have issued statements on this matter refuting allegations that he had appointed people to receive and channel money on behalf of the ANC, stemming from the Prasa Swifambo tender. In fact, in February 2018, Dr. Mkhize also provided a statement to the Public Enterprises Parliamentary Portfolio Committee chaired by Ms. Zukiswa Rantho at the time, with a statement giving a detailed description and a response to these unfounded and false accusations by Mr. Montana.
“Dr. Mkhize still defends those earlier statements and therefore, in our opinion, has no other purpose to be confused with Mr. Montana in the media rather than subjecting these allegations to a formal and independent process. “Manzi said on behalf of Mkhize.
Manzi added that Mkhize was ready to go before the Zondo commission to provide clarity on the matter.
“Dr. Mkhize recognizes, therefore, that the State Capture Commission has the powers to fully investigate these matters. He remains fully committed to and supports the work of the commission.
“He will provide any information and clarity that the commission may require of him as a former TG of the ANC. This is due to their belief that all citizens, including the senior leaders of society, have an obligation to be held accountable and respond to any accusations leveled against them when requested ”.
Political Bureau
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