uMkhonto weSizwe (MK Party) has slammed the arrests of its members of parliament, Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama, calling it a political witch hunt. The pair, along with Anoj Singh and Thamsanqa Jiyane, were arrested in connection with the multibillion-rand Transnet corruption case.
They face 18 charges including, fruad and corruption. MK Party national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela accused authorities of using the arrests to intimidate and criminalise Black intellectuals associated with the party, rather than genuinely pursuing justice.
Ndhlela said Molefe and Gama’s arrests mirror the ‘vilification’ of party president Jacob Zuma. He claims Zuma remains a target for the ‘captured’ justice system. Ndhlela described the country’s justice system as a two-tiered structure that favours the elite and politically connected.
MK PARTY CALLS OUT NPA
In a statement, the MK Party accused the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of operating under external political influence. Ndhlela stated that the party has consistently called for accountability in state-owned enterprises and institutions such as the NPA.
“It is clear that when the MK Party raises legitimate questions about institutional bias and political capture, the response is swift and punitive. This is not justice; it is a witch-hunt,” said Ndhlela.
The party called for citizens and civil society organisations to reject what it called ‘selective justice’ and restore integrity to institutions.
BRIAN MOLEFE AND CO-ACCUSED OUT ON BAIL
The Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court granted bail of R50 000 each to the Molefe and the three other former Transnet executives. The court postponed the matter to Monday, 6 October for further investigations.
Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the case shows that services were misused and billions of rands were made without being used for the rail modernisation project. He said the arrests show how people in trusted and powerful positions got involved in corruption to benefit themselves instead of helping the country and its infrastructure.
DO YOU THINK THESE ARRESTS REFLECT TRUE ACCOUNTABILITY OR ARE THEY POLITICALLY MOTIVATED?
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