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ANC KZN Vice President Mike Mabuyakhulu at a prayer meeting at City Hall on April 18, 2021 in Durban.
PHOTO: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images
- Former ANC KZN leader Michael Mabuyakhulu said he had not received any donations from businessman Gaston Savoi.
- He added that he did not recall having been in contact with Sibusisiwe Ngubane-Zulu of Ngubane and Wills Inc about the donations he had received.
- Mabuyakhulu said the donation received was given in cash.
Former ANC Provincial Vice President in KwaZulu-Natal Michael Mabuyakhulu again admitted the party received R 1 million in cash for its 2008 elective conference from provincial treasury chief Sipho Shabalala.
The provincial conference was held June 20-22, 2008.
On Tuesday, Mabuyakhulu, who was testifying before the Zondo Commission, said the party had a donation package and the money received from Shabalala was part of it.
READ | Spotlight on R1 Million Donation to KZN ANC
Mabuyakhulu, who recently announced he would step down in accordance with a decision of the national executive committee, told the commission that he was not aware of the communication that took place between the party’s former provincial chairman, Senzo Mchunu, and Sibusisiwe Ngubane-Zulu. of Ngubane and Wills Inc regarding the confirmation of receipt of the donation of 1 million Rand received from Shabalala.
In the Ngubane-Zulu affidavit, she said she explained to Mchunu what the criminal investigation was and that it concerned a donation.
Mchunu then contacted Mabuyakhulu directly to ask him to provide the information regarding the donation to Ngubane-Zulu.
However, Mabuyakhulu said he did not recall being in contact with Ngubane-Zulu, adding that the consultations he had around 2010 were with the same cabinet but were not of Ngubane-Zulu.
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“I don’t remember that in this particular context. I do remember, however, that I was able to have communication with Ngubane and Wills Incorporate. And in my own memory, this communication occurred with one of the partners of the Cabinet was Mr. John Wills. I have absolutely no recollection of having been in contact with Ms. Ngubane, “he added.
Mabuyakhulu said he made it clear that he received money from Tshabalala who said he would help after the party called for donations ahead of its elective conference.
He added:
I clarified that I was the person who had received the money and I clarified that I had received the money in cash and I clarified that I had received the money from Mr. Shabalala, so I think that’s it.
However, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said his recollection of Ngubane-Zulu’s testimony was that the donation came from Gaston Savoi, an entrepreneur who owned the Intaka group of companies, and that Ngubane told Mabuyakhulu that the ANC had received a donation of 1 million rand from Savoi and not Shabalala.
But again, Mabuyakhulu denied receiving a Savoi-related donation and denied meeting Ngubani-Zulu.
“At the start of 2020… there was an ongoing investigation that some answers needed to be provided. Regarding the question investigators were asking, that’s when I met Mr. Wills.
“And so, in our discussion with Mr. Wills, I then indicated that these matters, in my opinion, would not have been administrative matters. And I say that in relation to the evidence that I have already provided before. this commission, “he said.
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Mabuyakhulu added that he does not recall when Shabalala pledged to donate money, but assumed it was about two months before the conference.
Ngubane-Zulu allegedly asked him if there was proof of the donation made or an acknowledgment of receipt sent to the donor.
However, Mabuyakhulu said he told Ngubane that Delani Mzila was responsible for managing the finances of the ANC in the province.
He added that the commission recorded his statement that he received the money from Shabalala as stated in his previous testimony, claiming that he did not issue any receipt in this regard.
It would therefore not have been possible for him to send Ngubane-Zulu back to Mzila, Mabuyakhulu said.
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