Johannesburg - State Security Minister David Mahlobo has called a report linking him to the illegal rhino horn trade “unfounded and slanderous”.
On Sunday, Al Jazeera broadcast a documentary in which it was alleged that Mahlobo has close ties to an alleged Chinese organised crime figure and rhino horn trafficker living in South Africa, who had openly bragged about bribing South African justice and immigration officials.
The reports said Guan Jiang Guang, who owns a massage parlour in Mbombela in Mpumalanga, had revealed photographs of himself and Mahlobo on his cellphone. Guang reportedly said he knew Mahlobo well, and Mahlobo had been a guest at his home. He added that Mahlobo was a regular visitor to his massage parlour.
Mahlobo has denied being friends with Guang and said he had never visited him at his home.
Mahlobo explained in a statement issued on Monday that the photograph had been taken when he was treated at a manicure table at Mbombela Spa and Guang had requested a photograph.
“At the time Minister Mahlobo visited the spa he had no idea as to what Mr Guang was involved in,” the statement said.
“The flimsy and vague allegation made in the programme by Mr Nigel Morgan that his company's contract was terminated by Kruger National Parks as a result of possible interference by Minister Mahlobo is rejected and will be dealt with in the appropriate forum. It is extremely reckless and mischievous for an internationally renowned broadcaster like Al Jazeera to be broadcasting such misleading content despite our response,” said Mahlobo.
"They are basically linking the fact that I used to visit a Spa in Mpumalanga solely for the services that they render, to the illegal poaching of rhino horns by its owner, which I have also just been made aware of now through the aired broadcast," he said.
The minister has called on the Mpumulanga police commissioner to investigate the allegations made against him in the documentary and the allegations of illegal rhino trade against Guang.
He said he would also investigate possible defamation action againt Al Jazeera.
African News Agency and IOL