The vice president of South Africa, Paul Mashatile faces intense backlash over his wife’s alleged dealings with an imprisoned gem seller.
Amid corruption allegations against the ruling party in South Africa, the African National Congress (ANC), vice president Paul Mashatile and his wife have been accused of having secret business deal with a notorious gem dealer currently serving prison sentence in South Africa.
According to report, Louis Liebenberg who is currently in prison after being convicted of theft and money laundering, gifted the wife of vice president Paul Mashatile some diamond. The diamond was found in her possession and was traced to Louis Liebenberg.
Reacting to the discovery, vice president Paul Mashatile stated that he does not know that the said diamond is originated from Louis Liebenberg. He explained that when it was discovered that the diamond is linked to Louis Liebenberg, it was given to the South African authority for further investigation.
He added that the said diamond was a gift which was not for him but for his wife; he however pointed out that he wouldn’t want his wife to accept such a gift from such a person.
The president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa in his his reaction, warned that public servants including those serving in his government who are accused of wrongdoing with substantial evidence must be subjected to an independent investigation and will face the law if found guilty of the allegation against them.
He explained that his deputy, Paul Mashatile will face investigation and provide needed answers to questions about the diamond and why it was found in his wife’s possession.
This is not the first time South African vice president Paul Mashatile is facing corruption allegation. He had been linked to multi-million dollars luxury house in the heart of Cape Town. Reacting to the allegation then, he explained that the house does not belong to him but to one of his sons-in-law. He added that there was nothing wrong with his son-in-law owning such a luxury house.
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