Africa-Press – South-Africa. Former minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson has died.
ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina confirmed to News24 that Joemat-Pettersson, who served as the chairperson of the portfolio committee on police, had passed away.
At the time of her death, Joemat-Pettersson, 59, was embroiled in accusations that she had tried to solicit a bribe from suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s husband, to make the inquiry into Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office go away.
Mkhwebane’s husband, David Skosana, alleged that Joemat-Pettersson had facilitated the bribe on behalf of the chairperson of the inquiry, Qubudile Dyantyi, and Majodina.
All three publicly denied the allegations.
Skosana has since opened a case of extortion.
Joemat-Pettersson served on the national working committee of the ANC.
She was a Cabinet minister under former president Jacob Zuma, but lost her job in a reshuffle in 2017.
Apart from the Mkhwebane matter, Joemat-Pettersson has also faced scrutiny for the illegal sale of 10 million barrels of strategic oil reserves at far below market value in 2015. She was energy minister at the time.
In 2014, former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela also found Joemat-Pettersson – then fisheries minister – acted recklessly in the awarding of an R800m contract to the Sekunjalo consortium.
DA leader John Steenhuisen, on Monday evening, said his party was “deeply saddened” by Joemat-Pettersson’s death.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends – and, of course, all her colleagues in Parliament at this very difficult time,” said Steenhuisen.
For More News And Analysis About South-Africa Follow Africa-Press
