EFF members marched to the Galeshewe police station on Thursday to open criminal charges against Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul.
EFF MEMBERS marched to the Galeshewe police station on Thursday to open criminal charges against Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul.
They carried placards reading “Zamani is a serial lier and a fake [sic]” and claimed that he should be charged for perjury.
EFF deputy provincial chairperson Moeketsi Konote explained that they had fulfilled Saul’s “dare” for them to open charges after failing to answer them in the Northern Cape provincial legislature.
“Instead of responding to our questions, he challenged us to open charges, so we have done just that,” said Konote.
He added that the charges related to the “missing” R500 million that was supposed to restore the sparkle of the City, the premier’s trip to Tanzania and the R10 million Nelson Mandela precinct project.
The EFF questioned Saul regarding an official trip that he took in 2019 with a delegation of ANC youth to Tanzania and Zanzibar, as well as where the funds were sourced from to sponsor the trip.
Konote claimed that it was nothing more than a “joy ride” with public funds.
“That trip could have cost the Province in the region of R260,000. We can’t even call the R10 million Mandela precinct project a statue – it is nothing more than a cut-out piece of tin. We also want the police to investigate the allegations that Saul had sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl, where it is believed that she fell pregnant as a result.”
He added that the premier should be charged for maladministration, fraud, corruption, nepotism and failing to carry out oversight in the Province.
“We are confident that the law will take its course and we expect other associates and departments to be charged along with the premier. It is important to hold the ruling party accountable. If he is treated with kid gloves, we will have to deal with the matter as it arises.”
The police referred media enquiries to the Hawks, who in turn stated that they were unable to comment until they had received the docket.
Saul accused the EFF of attempting a “cheap publicity stunt”.
“The matter of the Tanzania trip that they are raising was long resolved and there was no wrongdoing found. The regurgitation of this stale story shows a lack of purpose and direction by the EFF,” said Saul.
“As this ANC-led provincial government, we relentlessly continue with our work to improve the quality of lives of the people of the Northern Cape and will not be distracted or deterred by EFF kindergarten activities. It is quite clear that the EFF leadership in the Province is bored and clutching at straws and we will not entertain that.”
