Publish date | 11 July 2019 |
Issue Number | 4738 |
Diary | Legalbrief Today |
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has refuted claims that he requested funding for the ANC from the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) when he was treasurer-general of the party, says a TimesLIVE report. Former PIC CEO Dan Matjila told the PIC inquiry he was under ‘immense’ pressure from senior politicians and influential figures to fund transactions. He described having facilitated funding for the ANC at the request of a ‘top politician’. Matjila said: ‘I was asked if I could contact some of the people that had been funded by the PIC to contribute towards the ANC’s 2016 8 January statement (event).’ Mkhize has, however, denied that he asked for money on behalf of the ANC. ‘I have noted several media reports regarding an alleged request by myself as former treasurer-general of the ANC to the PIC to fund an ANC event,’ he said. ‘I understand these allegations emanate from testimony and proceedings at the PIC inquiry under way in Pretoria. I wish to categorically state that at no point did I or the treasurer-general’s office request funding from any state-owned entity, including the PIC.’ He said it was a well known that the party raised funds from individuals and companies who were members of the Progressive Business Forum.