DA, EFF want Ramaphosa to take action against Ntshavheni over corruption allegations

CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) want President Cyril Ramaphosa to take action against Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who stands accused of corruption.

News24 reported how the Hawks have finalised their investigation into a R2.5 million tender involving the minister in the Presidency while she was the municipal manager of Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality back in 2009.

Now the DA wants her removed from Cabinet immediately, while the EFF said Ntshavheni had avoided accountability for years.

DA spokesperson for state security, Dianne Kohler Barnard, said Ntshavheni could not serve as a minister while under such serious investigation.

She said that members of the executive must be "fit for purpose and beyond reproach".

Ntshavheni is accused of awarding an irregular contract to an accounting firm in 2009, which ballooned in value.

"As minister in the Presidency, Minister Ntshavheni juggles an important position, including leading State Security Agency. She cannot serve as minister in this portfolio (or any), while under such a serious criminal investigation and possibly compromised. We call on her to step down immediately. Failing which, the president must relieve her of her duties."

The EFF, meanwhile, said that Ntshaveni’s role in the alleged corrupt awarding of a tender in Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality, "represents the foundations of what is wrong with local government in South Africa".