DA Lays Criminal Charges Against Deputy President Paul Mashatile Over Corruption Allegations

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has taken decisive action by laying criminal charges against Deputy President Paul Mashatile amid a series of corruption allegations. The DA’s leader, John Steenhuisen, led the charge outside the Cape Town Central police station, alleging wrongdoing and corruption on the part of Mashatile.

Alongside the DA, the ANC Veterans League has also raised concerns about corruption allegations involving senior ANC leaders, including Mashatile, and has called for these leaders to appear before the party’s integrity commission.

Various reports have surfaced implicating Mashatile in benefiting from state tenders and residing in properties reportedly acquired through tender-related funds. The most recent scandal involves a Constantia mansion purchased by Mashatile’s son-in-law’s company for R28.9 million, which allegedly owes the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements R7 million from a failed Alexandra housing project.

Not stopping at criminal charges, the DA has lodged a formal complaint with parliament’s joint committee on ethics over Mashatile’s alleged breach of the members’ Code of Conduct. These allegations include failure to disclose interests, providing misleading information, and misrepresenting property ownership.

The DA has escalated the matter to the Union Buildings, directing a detailed dossier of allegations against Mashatile to President Cyril Ramaphosa. Despite urging President Ramaphosa to address the issue during the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA), the President has remained unresponsive.

Mashatile’s spokesperson, Vukani Mde, expressed confidence in his client’s ability to weather any investigations, whether conducted by the state or the ANC. Meanwhile, TimesLIVE continues to report on the unfolding developments surrounding the DA’s actions against Mashatile.