Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande has called for Thuja Capital CEO Mthunzi Mdwaba to provide evidence that he was involved in a R500-million bribery claim or face a lawsuit.
Nzimande, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi and ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula are accused by Mdwaba of being behind an attempt to solicit a 10% share from an Unemployment Insurance Fund jobs scheme that Mdwaba had secured.
Nzimande was responding to a question from a journalist in Pretoria during a press conference to announce the start of the application period for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme this week.
Mdwaba claimed that he was approached by people representing the ministers and Mbalula seeking a half-a-billion-rands bribe.
He said he wrote to Mdwaba on November 13 demanding that he provide proof of the allegations that he made against him.
Nzimande said by November 21, the deadline for Mdwaba to respond, he had not done so, noting that he was going to take further action.
“As far as I’m aware from my lawyers he [Mdwaba] had not responded and now I’m going to take the next action. I wish there was something quicker than suing,” he said.
He vowed: “I will not rest until this matter is concluded.
“Mdwaba must prove his allegations with whatever means he thinks he has. I have stolen no money. I have asked no one to go and look for money for me,” he said.
Mdwaba took to social media shortly after the press conference writing in his X account: “Please note that I have only received letters from the SG #Mbalula, minister #Godongwana and nothing from ministers #Nzimande & #Nxesi … so minister Nzimande must check where he sent it to.”
Nzimande said he knew Mdwaba from the past when he was a council member at the University of Western Cape and when he was a service provider for the Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority.
“I have no relationship with Mdwaba,” he said, adding that neither does he wishes to have one.
“It is like if we are ministers we are seating ducks; anybody can just wake up and say the minister has stolen so much; a minister has done that and get away with it.”
Nzimande said when he was accused of having taken R500 000 from former Cosatu leader and axed COPE deputy president Willy Madisha, he ran like a headless chicken to prove his innocence.
“Because it was the first time I was being accused, I had to run around and subject myself to a lifestyle audit.
“People were going into my bedroom to count how many petticoats my wife has. They were literally opening everything because I was inexperienced at that time.
“If you make an accusation, prove it. He must prove it. I will not rest until this matter is concluded. I wish there was something quicker than suing … Democracy and the legal system takes forever.”
