DA wants more answers on cattle claims

THE DA in the North West wants the provincial government’s portfolio committee on agriculture and rural development to summon former president Jacob Zuma and former provincial government officials to answer to allegations that he allegedly unlawfully received 24 Nguni cattle meant for emerging farmers in the province.

The latest call by the DA’s spokesperson on agriculture and rural development, Jacqueline Theologo, came after the party was apparently unhappy with responses given by North West businessman Derrick Montshwe before the committee on Monday.

The Star’s sister paper, The Sunday Independent, reported over the weekend that Montshwe was awarded a three-year contract worth R650 million to be an implementing agent for the then department of rural, environmental and agriculture in 2014.

Montshwe was then summoned by the portfolio committee led by Bitsa Lenkopane to respond to allegations that he, through his company Agridelight, delivered the cattle to Zuma at his Nkandla homestead in October 2016.

He was also called to appear and respond to an allegation that he paid R500000 for a cosmetic nose job on former North West agriculture MEC Manketsi Tlhape.

Other allegations included the fact that Montshwe reportedly delivered sheep and cattle to a farm owned by former North West premier Supra Mahumapelo.

He was also accused of having provided funding to Mahumapelo to allow him to acquire two McDonald’s franchises in Mahikeng which are registered under his wife’s name.

Montshwe was also expected to give details of other politicians who allegedly benefited from the scheme which was set up to boost emerging farmers in the North West.

Lenkopane said Montshwe had denied all the allegations under oath.

“He has given the committee access to probe his personal and business accounts saying that would justify that no such transactions took place. Mr Montshwe also undertook to give a written reply to deny allegations that he transported a herd of cattle to former president Jacob Zuma,” Lenkopane said.

Despite Montshwe’s denials, Theologo now wants the committee to widen its investigations.

She said the DA would further request information in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act on the Agridelight saga.

At the time of publication, Zuma’s spokesperson Vukile Mathabela did not confirm whether he was aware of the case before the portfolio committee in the North West.

Mahumapelo was not available for comment but Lenkopane had said he and Tlhape were made aware of Montshwe’s expected appearance before the portfolio committee.