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ZIWAPHI • VOL 4 NO 7 • 9 - 22 APRIL 2010

NELSPRUIT

By Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane

A security boss whose company was hired to provide security on residential farm belonging to Mpumalanga premier David Mabuza has rubbished claims that he was fired after R14-million allegedly went missing from the premises.

Noah Dlamini, managing director of Mbovula Security Services, released a media statement, disputing reports in the Sunday Times and Sowetan Sunday World newspapers, in which they reported that Mabuza kept R14-million cash at his home in Barberton.

“We dismiss that any of the journalists that drafted the story had spoken to either the managing director or any of our managers,” said Dlamini, on Tuesday.

“We would like to distance ourselves with (sic) the assertions and attributions levelled at me as managing director or any other managers in the company,” he added.

Dlamini said he did not know any of the co-authors of the story, which was run in both newspapers over the weekend.

The journalists, Mzilikazi wa Afrika and Charles Molele, reported that senior officials in the provincial government told their newspapers that a relative of Mabuza’s was a suspect in the alleged multi-million theft.

They also reported that soon after the theft, which allegedly took place in December last year, Mbovula Security Services was replaced with members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) after safety, security and liaison MEC Sibongile Manana alerted Dlamini of the alleged theft.

However, Dlamini denies this.

“It is true that our security personnel were removed from Premier Mabuza’s house. [This was] because of security threats and [the company was therefore] replaced by the SAPS,” he said.

“I do not know who [the] sources are, but I can state without any fear of contradiction that nobody called me about R14-million and its disappearance in the premier’s house,” said Dlamini.

Manana’s spokesperson, Joseph Mabuza, also denied that the security company was replaced because of the theft of R14-million.

“The department can confirm that the MEC replaced the security company after guards were founding to be sleeping on duty at the property. The MEC and the department do not know about any theft of cash, let alone R14-million,” said Mabuza.

Spokesperson for the provincial police, Captain Leonard Hlathi, said the premier’s office should respond to questions about the matter as it involved the premier’s office.

Spokesperson for Mabuza, Mabutho Sithole, referred questions back to Manana’s office.

“For comment on this matter, please contact the office of the MEC,” said Sithole.

Wa Afrika, representing both the weekend newspapers, stuck by his story.

“The newspapers and the two reporters stick by the story. Our reporting is true and factual enough to stand in a court of law,” said wa Afrika.