BY: Saneliso Mlambo
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is set to reconsider its previous decision not to pursue charges of fraud and perjury against Deputy President Paul Mashatile. This decision comes after a challenge from ANC member Sello Molefe, who disputes the NPA’s conclusion regarding a case linked to the disputed ANC elective conference in the North West in 2022.
Molefe alleges that Mashatile misrepresented facts in an affidavit submitted to the North West High Court in Mahikeng. The affidavit, he claims, falsely stated that a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting had authorized the reappointment of the interim provincial committee (IPC), a misrepresentation that allegedly influenced the court’s favorable ruling for the ANC.
In November 2024, Dr. Rachel Makhari, the North West Director of Public Prosecutions, decided not to press charges, citing insufficient evidence. However, Molefe has challenged this decision, describing it as “flawed” and seeking a judicial review.
The legal challenge against Mashatile has political implications, as the ANC defends the Deputy President’s actions as compliant with party protocols. The NPA’s review and potential further legal actions will likely have significant consequences for Mashatile’s political future and the ANC’s internal dynamics.