Lehae allegations are a political witch hunt

IOL News

2 days ago

Sithembiso Zungu Zungu insists the accusations lack credible evidence and are politically driven.
Image: Facebook
LEHAE Phase 3 — Sithembiso Zungu, newly appointed MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services, has firmly rejected corruption allegations related to his tenure as Ward 12 Councillor and his association with Citydev Construction.
Presenting a detailed rebuttal, Zungu insists the accusations lack credible evidence and are politically driven.
Responding to claims that he received illegal payments, Zungu stated unequivocally: 'There is no credible, publicly available evidence that confirms I never received any payments from Citydev Construction during my tenure as Ward 12 Councillor in Lehae Phase 3.'
He emphasised that official records, including those from the Department of Correctional Services, 'have no record of me being held at their facility in relation to the Lehae community housing project case'.
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On accusations of demanding facilitation fees from contractors involved in community housing projects and school refurbishments, Zungu said: 'Why would I do that? I have consistently and strongly dismissed these claims via credible media platforms and through direct statements to journalists.'
He highlighted his role as a mediator: 'My primary aim was mediation between contractors and communities, not financial gain or extortion.' He also pointed out an absence of any audit reports, financial documents, or other proof linking him to illicit payments, describing the charges as 'a witch hunt aimed at tarnishing my name and abusing media narratives for political gain'.
Regarding his cooperation with law enforcement, Zungu affirmed full transparency and compliance. 'The Hawks have completed their investigation and submitted the findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a decision,' he noted. 'I have no judicial reprimands, contempt findings, or adverse procedural rulings against me in relation to document provision.'
Addressing concerns about his recent MMC appointment in the context of these longstanding allegations and purported association with a 'Construction Mafia,' Zungu stated: 'My appointment as MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services was made by the Executive Mayor, following internal council deliberations. The Office of the Executive Mayor would be better placed to comment on this.'
Providing context to his involvement with Citydev Construction, Zungu gave a nuanced account: 'In 2017, we were introduced to this private company by the then Ward Councillor of Ward 122, as they were undertaking bond housing in Lehae. I was the chairperson of the business forum at the time. Initially, I supplied materials for them and was later appointed as a social facilitator.'
Zungu explained: 'We worked very well until I was elected Ward Councillor of 122 after the previous councillor passed away. I then resigned from the business forum to focus on my councillorship. Politics within the ANC then kicked in.'
He concluded with a warning about internal party conflict: 'In short, all this has been a fabrication and is meant to tarnish my name from members within the ANC.'
While the Hawks investigation has been handed to the Director of Public Prosecutions, no charges have been filed to date, and Zungu's legal status remains unchanged. His comprehensive denial and claims of political targeting prompt questions about the motivations behind the allegations, suggesting a wider context of factional battles within local politics.
Zungu's insistence on transparency and cooperation stands in contrast to the persistent, yet unsubstantiated claims — underscoring the need for the process to run its course before drawing conclusions about his conduct. Get the real story on the go: Follow the Sunday Independent on WhatsApp.