Deputy President Paul Mashatile has denied any wrongdoing in his association with “questionable” businessmen who are allegedly supporting his expensive lifestyle.
Mashatile’s office says the deputy president is being accused of guilt by association in light of reports that businessmen who do business with the state are propping up his lifestyle including the use of their luxury homes.
Mashatile has not denied the links between him and the businesspeople described as “tenderpreneurs and friends with billions” by News24.
“For the record, the deputy president has throughout his life as an activist and public representative met many people from different walks of life, including the individuals mentioned by News24,” said Mashatile’s office on Wednesday.
“Naturally, some of the people he has interacted with throughout that long time have become close personal associates. There is nothing wrong or unusual about this, and the attempt to scandalise such associations is unfortunate.
“While the deputy president denies any and all allegations of wrongdoing, we note that News24 fails to offer any real evidence of misconduct on the part of the deputy president, choosing instead to rely on innuendo, suggestion, and guilt by association. This is a regrettable approach to journalism and it has the potential to hinder rather than help the cause of accountability in public life,” read the statement.
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