Mabilo denies blowing govt credit card

The Northern Cape MEC for transport, safety and liaison, Patrick Mabilo, has denied media allegations suggesting he recklessly abused his official government credit card.

This follows an article published in a local tabloid claiming that Mabilo allegedly used a government’s credit card to fund a holiday stay in Maputo last year.

According to the tabloid, a bank statement revealed that a total of 46 transactions, amounting to over R35 000, were processed between December 5, 2012 and January 3, 2013.

Opposition parties have since called for Mabilo’s resignation from the provincial cabinet following the credit card saga.

The spokesperson of the department of transport, safety and liaison, Lebogang Majaha, denied the allegations that Mabilo abused state funds for self-enrichment.

“We refute the allegations as baseless, unfounded and devoid of any truth.”

Majaha said Mabilo did not use state funds to pay for his holiday in Maputo and there was documentary proof of that.

“With regard to the R15 000 transaction at Bloemfontein’s Mimosa Mall, at the time of the transaction; the MEC did not have his personal credit card in his possession, given the circumstances beyond his control. He utilised the state credit card to facilitate a transaction to the value of R15 000.

“The expressed purpose thereof was to refund the money at the first available opportunity.”

Majaha said there are records that prove that the amount was indeed repaid to the official credit card.

“That is a clear sign of accountability, honesty and responsible behaviour on the part of the MEC. There was no corrupt intention, self enrichment or theft on the part of the MEC.”

Majaha argued that Mabilo could have simply ignored to pay the credit card and hoped it was not going to be picked up.

“The fact is that as part of his integrity he did the honourable thing, and settled the matter without any further delay. For the record, the MEC was in the Republic of South Africa from the December 5 to 20, 2012, contrary to media reports that he was in Mozambique from the December 5 to 2012 January 03 2013.”

He said Mabilo left for the said holiday at a later date.

“For the record, the MEC only left the country on the December 21, 2012, for Maputo, Mozambique.

“While this was a personal holiday trip of the MEC, he remains wherever he is, a member of the executive council for transport, safety and liaison of the Northern Cape province and as such given the nature of globalisation and trans-Atlantic dynamics, nothing prevents him from building up strategic networks, valuable interactions, engagements with relevant and potential role players in this regard,” added Majaha.

Majaha added that transport is an international vehicle for the movement of goods, passengers and cargo across borders.

“As such, during the stay in Mozambique, the MEC seized the opportunities to network accordingly. In the normal course of such engagements, transactions will unfold. And this is the context in which the credit card was used, value for money.

“The credit card was used in a responsible manner and the expenditure was kept to the bare minimum within the guidelines and provision under which official credit cards are issued. No alcohol and other personal items were purchased, except non-alcoholic beverages and food,” said Majaha.

He further states that the expenditure was justified, given the benefit the province will accrue from Mabilo’s cross-border negotiations and engagements, while in Mozambique.

“It is a known fact that the current priority area of the department is the four infrastructure APEX projects such as the Port Nolloth cargo harbour; the De Aar cargo hub and rail infrastructure in the province. A visionary and strategic public representative, even on private holidays will see any potential opportunities to advance the interest of the department vis a vis the projects.”