Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane has rejected allegations about her department giving contracts to the African National Congress Youth League treasurer general Reggie Nkabinde.
“I have heard and observed what Julius Malema has said. He didn’t get a single municipality and because we [the ANC] did very well‚ desperate individuals will say such things. I’m not going to honour his stupidity by responding.”
Asked whether she disputed the claims‚ Mokonyane said: “He has not been fed that information by me. The treasurer general of the ANC Youth League is a child of the ANC and has a right to run his own business.”
Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema earlier accused Mokonyane of “empowering” Nkabinde with tenders.
Malema alleged during a press conference in Pretoria‚ broadcast on national television‚ that Nkabinde had established a music company called Mabala Noise‚ which had artists who received millions of rands and performed during ANC election rallies.
“… Nomvula likes them young … That’s how Reggie became a favourite of Nomvula Mokonyane …” Malema said.
Mokonyane’s spokesperson‚ Mlimandlela Ndamase‚ also rejected Malema’s statements.
“Julius is speaking nonsense. He is being sexist against a female leader of the ANC who is promoting policies of empowerment through a fair and transparent process‚” he said.
When contacted‚ the ANC Youth League refused to comment on the matter‚ referring all comments to Mabala Noise.
“Well‚ you can speak to whoever is responsible for Mabala Noise and not the youth league‚” said ANCYL national spokesperson Mlondi Mkhize.
TMG Entertainment has reached out to Mabala Noise for comment‚ and representatives said they were “working on putting a statement together”.
Malema said during the briefing that he was prepared to be taken to court over his assertions.
“If they think I am talking nonsense‚ they must sue me. Then the suing process will give them an opportunity to produce how much they paid those artists. That’s why I challenge them here‚” said Malema.