Johannesburg - Former ANC treasurer general Mathews Phosa has denied having a vendetta against Mpumalanga premier David Mabuza or circulating a document alleging that Mabuza was an apartheid spy.
“I have no vendetta against Mabuza. That document... someone gave it to me and as a disciplined member of the ANC I forwarded it to the leadership, which is what is to be done instead of sending it to the media; I sent it straight to the leadership,” Phosa told African Eye News Service.
The document reportedly stated that Mabuza participated in spying on his ANC comrades between 1985 and 1993.
During a press briefing this week, Mabuza said he was instituting a civil claim against Phosa because the former Mpumalanga premier handed the document to deputy secretary general (DSG) Jessie Duarte.
“I received a document from the deputy secretary general, comrade Jessie. According to the DSG, the document comes from comrade Mathews Phosa,” he said.
“Even the front cover of the document indicates such. I studied the document and I then reverted to say I'm going to take a few actions because the allegations on the document are scandalous, meant to diminish the good will that is bestowed on me by the ANC and the people of the province.”
Mabuza denied being a spy.
“I regard the allegations to be senseless and spurious and in a very serious light. The fact that these allegations are made by someone I have worked with for these years I find it very unfortunate.
“... I see this as a failed attempt to destroy first my political standing as a member of the ANC and (provincial) chairperson and a premier... It's nothing but mere political posturing.”
The premier said the allegations were also bad for the image of the ANC as a liberation movement.
He said he wanted Phosa to tell the court where the document came from because it was currently known that it came from him.
Mabuza said he had also written to State Security Minister David Mahlobo, who is from Mpumalanga, to investigate the matter. - Sapa