Fikile Mbalula warns ANC about 'comrade tsotsis'

ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula has compared the current infiltration of the ANC by criminal elements to the era of the anti-apartheid struggle, when thugs masqueraded as freedom fighters.

“Even during the days of struggle, we had 'comrade tsotsis'. They looted in our name. Oliver Tambo warned us from Lusaka that these were not revolutionaries - they were agent provocateurs,” he said.

“Today, we face the same threat - people planted in our movement to hijack it from within," Mbalula said.

He slammed businessman Brown Mogotsi as “a reflection of a bad ANC member, “if he is indeed one”, warning party members to be aware of “comrade tsotsi.”

Mogotsi was exposed through WhatsApp messages at the Madlanga Commission which showed how he used his ties to the ANC to get money from criminals for his benefit. Some monies were used to fund ANC activities.

A trail of WhatsApp messages at the commission laid bare how businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala paid hundreds of thousands of rands to Mogotsi for protection and also access to classified documents from the SAPS.

During a media briefing, Mbalula said the ANC will never tolerate or associate itself with such groups of individuals who use the party’s name for such a reason.

“Siphoning money in the reports and all of that, involved in this and that, illegal missions and all of that.

“ANC can't pride itself on such people if they are its members and they will face the full wrath of the ANC and accountability from the side of the party,” he said.

The ANC has long faced allegations of corruption, including claims of vote-buying and patronage.

The revelations from the Madlanga Commission have added further pressure on the party to clean house ahead of the upcoming elections.

Mbalula acknowledged that money has corrupted internal party processes, prompting intervention from the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

Mbalula said the ANC would not shield individuals involved in criminality, and any leader found associating with such figures would be held to account.

“Because we know money has been exchanged hands and characters such as this who claim ANC membership do not understand what it means to be a member of the ANC have done deeds that are beyond imagination.

“I can tell you we will never associate ourselves with characters like Brown Mogotsi if he's a member of the ANC and his activities.

“He must account for that, and the ANC will stand up to such characters who pride themselves openly and publicly about the pride of being involved in things that do not raise the name of the ANC in good standing.”

He emphasised that the ANC will deal with ill-disciplined members.

Cape Times