Mbalula Says Travelling to Robben Island by a Privately-Owned Yacht is Neither a Gift nor Evidence of Corruption

ON THE ROPES: ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula says his decision to use a yacht owned by a Cape Town businessman who scored lucrative state tenders is neither a gift nor proof he is linked to corruption. Photo: ANC

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has defended his decision to use a private yacht belonging to a Cape Town businessman who has scored lucrative state tenders.

He says he did not use the luxury yacht to galavant but for party work since he had a busy schedule during his trip to Robben Island. 

Mbalula claims his decision to use the yacht was neither a gift nor evidence that he is somewhat linked to corruption. 

The embattled head of the governing party’s administration says he had a tight schedule that required him to move in and out of the historic Island as quickly as possible on Wednesday last week.

LIVING LARGE: ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula travelled to Robben Island in a luxurious yacht owned by a private businessman. Photos: Social Media

Mbalula landed in hot water when he travelled to Robben Island in a yacht owned by a private businessman while other ANC leaders used the normal Sikhululekile ferry. 

He used it when the ANC hosted a ceremony to mark its 113th birthday on the island where Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Jacob Zuma, Harry Gwala and many other struggle stalwarts were once jailed.

“We went (to Robben Island) with a yacht… the boat and then it was given to us as a mode of transport. No, it’s not a gift, it’s a donation… there is nothing that links us to corruption. I know the boat, I know the ferry (Sikhululekile), I have been into to it and that day I had five lined up activities from Robben Island,” Mbalula said.

CRACKING THE WHIP: ANC national chairperson, Gwede Mantashe, said Fikile Mbalula’s yacht matter would be discussed by the party’s leadership as it attracted unnecessary attention. Photo: ANC

He implied that the normal ferry even delayed other guests who missed other assignments. 

“I left there, I arrived late at the Songezo… we were late because the Robben Island programme, remember it also dragged a bit. So, we were in Cape Town, we addressed there about three activities, and I had to drive out of Cape Town for two hours to Worcester in Zwelethemba and I addressed the rally there. Those journalists who were in the ferry some of them who reported about the matter could not reach other areas because they were late. The President (Ramaphosa) used the state helicopter …to reach his destination.

“When [the] office made arrangements they took it into consideration with that. It’s not like the people were at Robben Island, the SG (Secretary-General) was galavanting at the sea with the yacht, he did not do anything,” Mbalula said after he was asked by JJ Tabane of eNCA on the night of Monday, January 13.

However, ANC top brass appear to be preparing to take Mbalula to task. 

ANC national chairperson, Gwede Mantashe, told Newzroom Africa earlier on Tuesday that Mbalula’s yacht matter would be discussed by the party’s leadership as it attracted unnecessary attention. 

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