Motsepe insists he is not moving into politics

Mining magnate Patrice Motsepe says while he remains a die-hard African National Congress (ANC) supporter, he is not positioning himself for a political transition.

Motsepe says he also will never start his own political party.

On Friday, he moved to quash suggestions that the emergence of a recent website in his name is purportedly part of his campaign for the ANC’s presidency. 

He has appealed to shareholders of his African Rainbow Minerals Company to ignore what he says are conspiracy theories.

Delivering closing remarks on the financial results of his company, Motsepe moved to assure shareholders that moving from executive to non-executive chair of the company was merely a governance compliance matter and not a sign of him getting ready to switch to politics. 

“This issue is about whether I will get involved in politics, and some even say I’m going to form another political party; I’m too old and boring to be forming political parties.”

Motsepe says he has no idea who is behind the PM27 website or where they are getting money to print promotional clothing in his name, but he expects the rumours to persist.

“The aim is to discredit me; to say he’s not following the rules. He’s not about the poor; he doesn’t respect the rules of the ANC; he’s all about himself,” Motsepe added.

Motsepe says while he will continue to fund political parties across the spectrum, that’s where the buck stops.