African National Congress (ANC) First Deputy Secretary-General Nombula Mokonyane has denied allegations of maladministration and corruption at the Giyani Bulk Water Project in Limpopo province while he was a minister.
The multi-million rand corruption allegations occurred when Mr Mokonyane was water and sanitation minister. Mr Mokonyane was speaking during a campaign to rally support for the ANC in Tzaneen ahead of the May 29 general election.
Mr Mokonyane wants his party to maintain an absolute majority in Limpopo. She says the state remains an ANC stronghold.
She was campaigning in an area on the outskirts of Jiyani. There, during her tenure as Minister of Water and Sanitation, she took years to complete multi-billion rand bulk water projects. She said law enforcement had proven her innocence and she denied any wrongdoing.
“The SIU and law enforcement agencies have issued a statement that the Minister has nothing to do with the substance of the investigation, and this is the message we need to take forward. We are pleased that the project is moving forward and work is progressing. Masu.”
Mokonyane said he would continue to fight for Umkhonto Wesizwe's current logo. She said the logo belonged to the ANC.
“We filed a lawsuit in Durban over our legacy logo and that is the battle we will be fighting after the election.”
Residents say they want the ruling ANC to resolve the water issue. They have also expressed concern about the influx of illegal immigrants to farms around the Tzaneen area.
“I come from Ga Motupa village and there is no water there. We have roads that we struggle with. We cannot bathe. It means we have to buy water with money,” said resident Maite Larepelle.
“Even if we try to look for work, there is no work. Everything is taken by foreigners. So we are skeptical even to vote because our government has failed us,” said another. Shoes Khoza, a resident of
Mr Mokonyane said border authorities were dealing with the issue of illegal immigration. She also says it will improve water supply and job creation.