Ziwaphi Relentless quest for the truth
Mpumalanga’s political scene was as frenzy as always. We have, however, selected some of the issues which kept the people of the province talking.
JANUARY 2015
79% Matric Pass: The year started on a positive note, with Mpumalanga obtained its highest ever matric pass rate, 79%.
Madri Wiid from Hoërskool Nelspruit, an exclusively Afrikaans medium school, walked away with a Toyota Etios prize, after being crowned the province’s best matric student for the year 2014.
ANC members launch violent attack on SACP: The second part of the month of January, an unprecedented violent attack by ANC members on an SACP Joe Slovo and Jimmy Mohlala Memorial Lecture at Kanyamazane community hall on the 25th January.
Mpumalanga premier and ANC Ehlanzeni REC members say they object to Mathews Phosa and Bonakele Majuba addressing the lecture.
Ex Cope members claim they were sent by premier to steal laptop: In the same month, two COPE members claim that Mpumalanga premier, David Mabuza, sent them to steal James Nkambule’s lap top and promised government jobs and R3 million. Mabuza denied the charge. Mabuza denied the charge.
FEBRUARY 2015
Municipal manager arrested in jobs for comrades scandal: The month of January ended with the arrest of Mbombela municipal manager, Noko Seanego in a jobs for comrades scandal.
Mbombela senior managers axed for corruption: Ex-Mbombela municipal manager, Xolani Mzobe and senior manager, Rasheed Matola, expelled from the municipality for their role in the AFCON 2013 corruption scandal.
ANC forces the SACP to cancel another memorial lecture: SACP is forced to cancel the Joe Slovo and Jimmy Mohlala Memorial lecture, after the ANC also claims it has its own, unspecified, event on the same day, while there was no such an event.
State security agency admits spying for premier Mabuza: State Security Agency admits spying for Mpumalanga premier, David Mabuza.
ANC calls for fewer municipalities: ANC calls for the merger of Mpuma municipalities, reducing them from 18 to 13.
MARCH 2015
Phosa, Majuba address Joe Slovo memorial lecture: Mathews Phosa and Bonakele Majuba address the Joe Slovo Memorial Lecture at Mhluzi town hall, Steve Tshwete municipality.
Municipality’s furniture repossessed: Thaba Chweu Municipality’s furniture repossessed and auctioned for R350 000 to pay the municipality’s debts. The Mayor says he was unaware that summons had been issued because he had been out of the office
“I was a drunkard,” premier David Mabuza confesses: Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza confesses to traditional leaders that he used to be a drunkard who used to walk down the streets holding a beer and be very drunk.
Ex-butler ordered to pay Phosa: The man who accused Mathews Phosa of authoring a report purporting to expose Mpumalanga premier of being an apartheid-era spy, is ordered by the court to pay money he stole from Phosa.
DA elects new and black leaders: The Democratic Alliance elects James Masango as its provincial leader and Jane Sithole as its chairwoman. This was after Antony Benadie had vacated his position. He later lost in a contest
APRIL 2015
HOD, DG mum over security clearance: Ziwaphi publishes a story that the HOD for provincial treasury Nombedesho Nkamba and the provincial director-general, Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize dodge questions whether Nkamba has a security clearance as required for people in senior management positions.
Disaffected ANC members launch campaign to save the ANC: Disaffected members of the ruling ANC launch the Save the ANC in Mpumalanga campaign against irregularities and fraud during ANC conferences.
ANC convenes provincial general council to elect one person: ANC provincial-general council (PGC) takes a resolution that Mabuza should be installed as the provincial chairperson for the third time in a row.
Bank silent over ANC fraud scandal: Ziwaphi exposes possible fraud in ANC membership in Nkangala region. Both ANC and the First National Bank fail to act against the alleged perpetrators.
Ex-EFF provincial treasurer charged with fraud: Ex-EFF provincial treasurer, Sipho Sibiya faces R200k fraud charges brought by his organisation.
MAY 2015
Speaker withdraws prostitute remarks: Legislature speaker, Thandi Shongwe, is forced to apologise for saying opposition party member of the legislature, Jane Sithole, was wearing a “prostitute dress” as it was exposing her shoulders.
Mabuza asks failing municipal managers to resign: Mpumalanga premier, David Mabuza asks failing municipal managers to do the right thing and resign.
Archives building a white elephant: Ziwaphi publishes a story which shows that the R148m dodgy provincial archives building was in fact a “white elephant”.
SACP suspends provincial chairperson: SACP suspends Kholwane, accusing him of not adhering to party principles after he allegedly spoke ill of the SACP at the ANC’s provincial general council.
JUNE 2015
EFF MPL resigns: EFF MPL, Ayanda Tshabalala quits the party amid sexual harassment claims. This was shortly after other senior members of the organisation, such as founder member, Mpho Ramakatsa, were expelled.
EFF commander-in-chief, Julius Malema and his central command team invade Mpumalanga and hold a rally at Masoyi village, after a series of “listening mini rallies” in Mbombela townships.
Ex-ANCYL president announces candidacy: Former ANC Youth League deputy president, Ronald Lamola announces his availability for the position of ANCYL presidency despite Mpuma rejection.
Ex-DA MPL claims EFF wants to kill him: Former DA member of parliament, Velly Manzini, claims that EFF leaders want to kill him.
JULY 2015
Journalist dies in car accident: Sowetan’s Mpumalanga bureau journalist, Suprise Mazibila (pictured), dies in a car accident.
SACP threatens not to campaign for “ANC criminals”: SACP says it won’t campaign for ANC criminals in response to the ANC’s failure to attack to take action against ANC members who used violence to stop its Joe Slovo and Jimmy Mohlala memorial lecture at Kanyamazane on 25 January.
Ex-EFF MPL denies she received tender to recruit for ANC: Former Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) Chief Whip in the Mpumalanga legislature Ayanda Shabalala denies allegations that she was promised a R40 million contract to bring more than 1 000 EFF members to the ANC.
Councillors arrested: Mbombela local municipality councillor, Kenneth Mkhonto, and member of the mayoral committee Constance Maseko charged with arson.
AUGUST 2015
March on the ANC by the ANC: About 3000 ANC members marched on the organisation’s provincial headquarters, January “Che” Masilela House to demand the dissolution of ANC structures in the province.
ANCYL chairperson in court for murder: The chairperson of the ANCYL in the Ehlanzeni region, Bheki Lubisi (28), appears in court in connection with murder along with four community members at Driekoppies village near Malalane.
ANC expels four executive mayors: ANC in Mpumalanga expells four mayors, Michael Ncongwane (Thaba Chweu) mayor, Salome Sithole (Emalahleni) Matshidiso Morajane (Lekwa) and Grace Tiny Mthimunye (Dr JS Moroka).
ANC PEC member suspended: The ANC suspends its member of the provincial executive committee (PEC) Peter Nyoni following allegations that he was planning a factional march against the governing party.
SEPTEMBER 2015
ANC removes SACP secretary from list: ANC removes the name of SACP provincial secretary from the list of candidates to be in the legislature and replaces him with Speed Mashilo.
David Dube’s name appears as possibleLists of candidates for ANC PEC start emerging and David Dube is pitted against David Mabuza. ANC officials enter into a pact that they would not contest each other.
Premier league emerges: The media announces the emergence of a structure called, the premier league, formed of premier of Mpumalanga, Free State and North West provinces.
Irregularities forces ANC to suspend ANC provincial secretary, Lucky Ndinisa, announces that the party has dropped councillors’ nominations, after allegations of irregularities.
Chinese, Gumede pay millions for Mabiza’s old clothes: The Chinese and local businessman, Robert Gumede paid more than R4 million for Mpumalanga premier, David Mabuza’s clothes, during an auction at his birthday.
OCTOBER 2015
EX-Mbombela mayor joins EFF: Former Mpumalanga capital city mayor Isaiah Khoza left the African National Congress (ANC) to join the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), labelling his former party as “sick.” This was after a meeting to resolve party problems was cancelled because Mpumalanga premier fell sick.
Save ANC campaign opens fraud case against FNB: The Save ANC in Mpumalanga Campaign opened a fraud case against an employee from the First National Bank for appending a bank stamp on an ANC’s bulk banking form and ANC membership forms.
Department denies post was lowered to suit ANCYL DP: Mpumalanga education authorities denied that the requirements of a director’s post in the Department of Education were lowered to suit newly elected deputy president of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL), Desmond Moela.
Mpumalanga police join Third Term political battle: Mpumalanga top police join the battle for Mabuza’s third term bid.
NOVEMBER 2015
Ex-butler reveals plot to kill Phosa: Mpumalanga premier Mabuza’s witness in his defamation lawsuit against Phosa reveals alleged plot to kill Phosa.
Mabuza’s lawyer exposed for paying witness to implicate Phosa: Ziwaphi reveals that Mabuza’s lawyer was paying cash to Mabuza’s witness allegedly to implicate Mathews Phosa as the author of a secret report that implicates Mabuza as an apartheid-era spy. Mabuza is suing Phosa for R10 million for the allegations.
EFF wants debate on Mabuza’s fitness to hold office: Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader in Mpumalanga Collen Sedibe requested the legislature to hold a debate on Mabuza’s fitness to hold office after being on leave for two month.
Mabuza’s lawyer admits paying money to witness: Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza’s lawyer Ian Small-Smith has admitted paying money for Jan Venter’s legal fees but refuses to say where he got the money from.
DECEMBER 2015
Minister, officials clash on fixing potholes: As Zuma visits Mpumalanga, government officials started fixing potholes to fool the president, but before that it was little children who fixed the potholes at a fee.
Premier returns from two-months sick leave: Mabuza returns from a sick bed, calling himself a Cat. His return marked the assumption of the case against ANC PEC member, Peter Nyoni. He is expelled from the ANC through social media.
Another Mpumalanga lass wins idols: Mpumalanga’s Karabo Mogane is voted the winner of Idols SA Season 11 winner.
ANCYL wants leaders to be appointed as MECs before Christmas: ANCYL wants to be appointed as MECs before Christmas.
Phosa drags Mabuza to court on spy allegations: Phosa drags Mabuza to court to explain his statement that Phosa authored the report which claims Mabuza was an apartheid-era spy.
Mabuza is installed as ANC provincial chairperson: Mabuza is installed as ANC provincial chairperson.
