Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe fears for his and his family’s safety after receiving threats from people who believed allegations by self-proclaimed mining rights activist Zakhele Zuma that he stole R40-million from mineworkers.
Mantashe, who is the national chairperson of the ANC, revealed this in an urgent application he filed in the Johannesburg High Court for an order to interdict Zuma from making such allegations against him.
“I feel threatened by the people who believe the lies that Mr Zuma is propagating, as they will believe that I took their money.
“These statements are intended to mean, and were understood by those who heard them or read them to mean, that I received R40 000 000, which belongs to the miners, and I kept it for myself. Not
Not only are these allegations false, but they also expose me and my family to danger because I live adjacent to mining communities, and I interact with them all the time.
“As a minister of one of the most important departments, these spurious and defamatory allegations have created a bad atmosphere and a level of distrust among officials and the stakeholders,” he stated.
Mantashe also said he was being abused and subjected to hateful remarks and that his family is seen as the beneficiaries of ill-gotten money.
“My family are also suffering because of these allegations, as they are seen as people who benefit from the alleged stolen money. These allegations have an impact on my career.
Since these allegations came to light, I have been subjected to abuse by X users who believe the allegations that are being made by Mr Zuma,” Mantashe said.
“My family and I are being abused and accused of theft by the public. I have received threats from certain sections of the public arising directly from the allegations made by Mr Zuma.”
He stated that the allegations were spurious and causing severe harm to his reputation and dignity and that of his family.
“I am suffering daily abuse because a perception has been created that I have stolen from the miners.
“As can be seen from the sample of harmful tweets made about me following the publication of the statement, I have been, and continue to be, a victim of extremely hateful and threatening comments on social media, with many users following Mr Zuma inferring that I stole the money that belongs to the miners,” he said.
Mantashe added that due to the sensitivity of the office that he holds, Zuma’s statements created unnecessary panic among investors in the country and other stakeholders, which has a negative effect on the ability of both the ANC and the government to manage their affairs.
“In view of the impact that the continuing conduct of Mr Zuma is having on my dignity, my family, and the offices I hold, I decided to lay a criminal charge of crimen injuria against Mr Zuma at Brooklyn,” he said.
Mantashe laments that despite opening the case against Zuma, he did not stop spreading the allegations against him.
“Following the criminal charge against Mr Zuma, Mr Zuma decided to publish another video in which he is seen responding to my statement,” he said.
Mantashe said Zuma published a video on June 10, 2010, repeating the same allegations.
“In the video, Mr Zuma is seen at my ANC office in the company of a large group of people. Again, Mr Zuma is seen inciting people and informing them that I am the one who received R40 000 000 from the ERPM mine, which belongs to them,” he stated.
He said Zuma is spreading the spurious allegation with the hope that he would lose his job as minister and his position in the ANC.
The minister said he had tried to resolve the matter with Zuma when his lawyers wrote to him in June demanding the retraction of his “spurious and defamatory” allegations, but he gave him the bird.
“The letter afforded Mr Zuma 7 (seven) days to retract his defamatory allegations and apologise. Mr Zuma has failed to comply with the letter of demand.
“Despite my attempt to settle the issue amicably, Mr Zuma proceeded to publish false and defamatory statements against me,” he said.
