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A look at politicians dogged by controversy, including Ramaphosa, Mashatile, Simelane, Mantashe and others.
Pictures: The Citizen and Gallo
Here are just some of the prominent politicians in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet who have been implicated in corruption, mismanagement, maladministration, or other serious allegations.
President Cyril Ramaphosa
He has faced scrutiny over his business dealings, most notably the Phala Phala farm scandal, where $580 000 (about R10 million) in cash was stolen from his Limpopo game farm in 2020.
The incident was concealed until June 2022.
He was later accused of money laundering, tax evasion and violating foreign currency regulations.
However, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) declined to prosecute.
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Paul Mashatile – deputy president
He has long been haunted by corruption allegations, including the R1.3 billion Alexandra renewal project.
More recently, questions have emerged about his lavish lifestyle, allegedly funded by government contractors.
The DA has laid criminal charges, leaving the NPA to decide on prosecution.
John Steenhuisen – minister of agriculture and DA leader
Steenhuisen was implicated in allegations of misusing DA funds during his 2020 campaign for party leadership.
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The accusations were made by expelled member Tsepo Mhlongo, who also implicated Manny de Freitas.
While De Freitas was found guilty and expelled, no action was taken against Steenhuisen.
Kgosientsho Ramokgopa – minister of electricity and energy
As former mayor of Tshwane (2010-2016), Ramokgopa was linked to a controversial contract awarded to PEU Capital Partners.
The irregular contract was set aside by the courts.
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Thembi Simelane – minister of human settlements
Simelane has been accused of taking questionable loans from companies connected to the looted VBS Bank while serving as Polokwane mayor.
Additionally, she faces DA-laid charges for allegedly defrauding Eskom of R700 000 during her time at consulting firm Vitrovian.
Nobuhle Nkabane – minister of higher education and training
Nkabane stands accused of ignoring corruption allegations in the Construction Education and Training Authority, despite whistle-blower evidence.
She was also accused of misleading parliament regarding Sector Education and Training Authority appointments.
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Aaron Motsoaledi – minister of health
Motsoaledi was implicated in a 2019 bribery scandal involving the murder of businessman Louis Siemens, with claims he received R150 000 to fast-track a hospital licence.
He has denied the allegations.
Gwede Mantashe – minister of mineral and petroleum resources
Mantashe is linked to the Bosasa corruption scandal, accused of accepting home security upgrades.
The Zondo commission recommended further investigation.
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Blade Nzimande – minister of science, technology and innovation
Nzimande was accused of accepting kickbacks from National Student Financial Aid Scheme service providers when he was higher education minister.
He denied the claims, calling them a politically motivated smear campaign.
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni – Minister in the Presidency
Ntshavheni was implicated in the CR17 campaign scandal, allegedly receiving R5 million, which she reportedly used to purchase a luxury car and mansion. She was also implicated in state capture during her tenure on the Denel board by the Zondo Commission.
Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams – Minister of Small Business Development
Ndabeni-Abrahams was accused of pressuring the Post Office and Postbank to award a Covid-19 relief grant contract to her husband during her time as Communications Minister (2019–2021). She voluntarily appeared before the ANC’s Integrity Commission in 2020.
Gayton McKenzie – Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
While serving as Mayor of Central Karoo, McKenzie raised R3 million at a gala dinner for service delivery purposes in 2022, but the funds allegedly never reached municipal accounts. The Western Cape High Court ordered McKenzie and a law firm to disclose information to investigators probing corruption allegations. The Public Protector is also investigating possible misuse of public funds during his trip to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Patricia de Lille – Minister of Tourism
De Lille was accused in 2013 of soliciting a R5 million bribe to secure a fire extinguisher contract while Cape Town mayor. In 2020, she was also accused of meddling in procurement during her term as Public Works Minister.
Parks Tau – Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
Tau, along with the late Geoff Makhubo, allegedly orchestrated the misappropriation of R30 million from city contracts while serving as Johannesburg mayor. ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba later laid charges of fraud, money laundering, and racketeering against the pair.
Pemmy Majodina – Minister of Water and Sanitation
Majodina was implicated in the 2004 Travelgate scandal, where MPs and travel agencies defrauded Parliament through fake travel claims. Though not criminally charged, she was issued a summons to repay the funds.
Enoch Godongwana – Minister of Finance
Godongwana was involved in the alleged embezzlement of R100 million in textile workers’ pension funds via Canyon Springs Investments, a company he co-owned with his wife. He later reached a full repayment settlement with the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (Sactwu) in 2017.
