Mashatile rejects interference claims, defends long-standing friendships over lotto tender

Deputy President rejects allegations of procurement interference

Deputy President Paul Mashatile told the National Assembly on Thursday that he would not interfere in government procurement to benefit friends, and said he would not stop associating with people he had known for decades simply because they were wealthy.

Oral questions over lotto licence tender

During a question-and-answer session, BOSA MP Nobantu Hlazo-Webster raised media reports alleging that individuals linked to Mashatile have business ties to the company awarded the multi-million rand lotto licence tender. Hlazo-Webster cited Section 96 of the Constitution, asking whether Mashatile or anyone connected to his office had been involved in, influenced, or had an interest in the tender process, and whether he would support a full investigation.

Mashatile: I will not ask departments to ‘give my friend the business’

Mashatile said he would not do anything against the rules or interfere with procurement for the benefit of his friends. He pointed to the Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, saying Minister Parks Tau had delayed the appointment of the lotto tender pending an investigation.

“That, I will not do. If you say I should not do that, I agree with you that I will not,”

Mashatile also defended his long-standing associations, saying he had known some people for more than 20 or 30 years and would not stop being friends with them because they went into business when he entered politics.

“But what I will not do is to go to a department of government and say, ‘give my friend the business’. That I will not do, because I have never done that, but I will not walk away from my friends, because they’re in business, or are in church, or are in politics.”

Opposition concerns and a point of order

DA deputy chief whip Baxolile Nodada said concerns were not about abandoning friendships but about associations with people accused of serious crimes, and noted that the person who won the multi-billion tender had accompanied Mashatile to the State of the Nation Address.

“It is actually problematic when you have got friends that are accused of fraud, racketeering, and money laundering. The person that won the multi-billion tender for the lotto contract accompanied you to the State of the Nation Address. Don’t you find that fishy for them to get that multi-billion tender,”

ANC MP Cameron Dugmore raised a point of order, arguing members must not impute improper motives to others. Speaker Thoko Didiza upheld the point of order and reminded members that allegations of improper conduct must be brought by way of a substantive motion. Nodada withdrew his remarks but pressed Mashatile for a response.

Mashatile’s challenge to critics

Mashatile said he did not recall any of his acquaintances doing irregular business or being criminals and challenged those who believed otherwise to open a case at the nearest police station.

“If you know anybody around the Deputy President, or including my children, who are criminals, go to the nearest police station and open a case.”

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau’s delay of the appointment and the ongoing investigation were central to Mashatile’s argument that a further probe was unnecessary, as he indicated the existing investigation was likely near conclusion.