ANC hit by 'kickbacks' for diplomatic posts claim

Allegations that the ANC has been soliciting kickbacks from those appointed to diplomatic positions overseas are contained in a letter addressed to the Zondo Commission by senior bureaucrats at the Department of International Relations & Co-operation and published on the Legalbrief site. The writers urge the commission to probe claims that the appointment of ambassadors and other diplomats is tainted with corruption and patronage. The letter is authored by Francis Moloi and Nyameko Goso, both employed by the department. Goso is former head of the SA mission in Toronto, Canada, and Moloi is the former ambassador to India and Sudan. According to a News24 report, they declined to comment, saying they did not want to jeopardise Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo's investigation, if and when it is launched. In their letter, Moloi and Goso ask Zondo to investigate allegations that the ANC's ‘deployment’ of its ‘cadres’ and ‘political appointees’ to foreign missions and ambassadorial positions is riddled with patronage and kickbacks. ‘Some of the issues we intend to assist the commission (with) to obtain evidence on include the role of the department and the Presidency in the current system of ambassadorial appointments where the ANC plays such a prominent role in the deployment of its cadres and political appointees into the Foreign Service under circumstances tainted with allegations of patronage and corruption as evidenced by the “kickbacks” that “political appointees” and some career diplomats are expected to pay back (and indeed do pay) to the ANC, ostensibly, in exchange for ambassadorial appointments.’ The kickbacks, the pair allege, were paid into the ANC's account held at Nedbank via debit orders which diplomats were expected to sign upon appointment.

The letter is copied to Department of International Relations & Co-operation Minister Naledi Pandor and DG Kgabo Mahoai. News24 says the department declined to comment about the allegations. Its spokesperson, Lunga Ngqengelele, said: ‘I've been advised that because the officials have referred their allegations to the Zondo Commission, as the department, we should await the process to unfold.’ The letter also claims Gupta-linked Regiments Capital was involved in the acquisition of the SA consulate in New York and the ambassador's official residence in the US. Goso and Moloi also finger a multi-billion rand SA private equity company as being involved in the deal. They also ask Zondo to investigate the activities of the SA High Commission in India. ‘Some of the issues we intend to assist the commission to obtain evidence on include … activities by the SA High Commission in India, including official visits by South African Government and political leaders and business people that were possibly facilitating certain business activities related to the Gupta family.’

Approaches by the ANC to sign a debit order and donate money to the party were confirmed by a former diplomat, according to the News24 report. ‘I was posted to a South African embassy between 2010 and 2014. A colleague, who was also posted to the same embassy and who was a senior manager, showed me a letter that the colleague received that was sent on an ANC letterhead encouraging SA Government officials, who were transferred abroad as diplomats, to help the ANC in its fundraising activities by making donations to the ANC. I cannot recall whether the contents of the letter instructed these officials to pay the money or whether it inferred that a quid pro quo would be part of the arrangement. An ANC letterhead was definitely used to solicit funds and a debit order for a particular sum per month was the preferred method of contributing,’ the former diplomat is quoted as saying.

Letter to Zondo Commission

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