DA Federal Chairperson Solly Msimanga has denied ever being lobbied by Resolve Communications or its founder Tony Leon during his time as Tshwane mayor.
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Chairperson Solly Msimanga has denied allegations that he was lobbied by clients of Resolve Communications during his tenure as the mayor of the City of Tshwane, saying the party's Federal Executive (FedEx) will consider an internal investigation into the matter.
Resolve Communications has come under scrutiny after former DA leader John Steenhuisen said he felt uncomfortable with meetings arranged by the firm's founder, Tony Leon, on behalf of clients.
According to Msimanga, the DA had a long-standing commitment to transparency.
"We don't hide anything, we don't sweep things under the carpet, we don't ignore things, we investigate," he said in an interview with the public broadcaster.
He said the party had decided it needed to understand the allegations before reaching any conclusions.
At the same time, Msimanga criticised media reporting on the issue, accusing a Sunday newspaper of falsely attributing comments to him.
"I was never consulted, I was never interviewed, I was never asked anything," he said.
Denies meeting Leon
Msimanga said he never met Leon in Tshwane while serving as mayor.
"If that was the case, there would be a register because anybody who goes into the mayor's office signs a security register. The secretary would know, the PA would know, and security would know."
When it was put to him that political meetings do not always follow formal booking procedures, Msimanga insisted there would still have been evidence of such a visit.
"When somebody comes into the building, there will be security, there will be a register, the PA will know, the secretary will know and the chief of staff will know."
He said those individuals could have been questioned if such a meeting had taken place.
Affidavit challenged
Msimanga said his lawyers had written to ActionSA regarding an affidavit in which his name appeared.
"You're putting an affidavit that contains my name in there. Can you then give us the name?"
He said he already knew the identity of the deponent but declined to disclose it because the matter would be handled through formal legal channels.
Msimanga further claimed the individual was employed by ActionSA.
He questioned why the allegations had never surfaced while he was serving in government or during internal party discussions involving former DA leaders Mmusi Maimane and Herman Mashaba.
"Why, if there was something like this that ever happened, was it never reported?"
'It never happened'
Asked directly whether Leon or Resolve Communications had ever sought access to him or attempted to secure partnerships while he was mayor, Msimanga rejected the claim.
"No, that has never happened."
He said if Maimane believed otherwise, he should state so publicly.
DA Federal Chairperson Solly Msimanga has denied ever being lobbied by Resolve Communications or its founder Tony Leon during his time as Tshwane mayor, saying the party will investigate allegations surrounding the consultancy's dealings with government figures.
Image: File Picture
Msimanga also challenged claims that any contracts linked to Leon's clients had been awarded during his tenure.
"You can investigate whether any contract was ever awarded to any of Tony's clients. You'll find there was absolutely nothing."
Business approaches are routine
When asked why he appeared to be the exception when several former DA leaders had described approaches from Resolve Communications, Msimanga said Leon had approached a range of public office-bearers.
"Tony himself has said he reached out to ANC ministers as well. He's reached out as a business person. I don't have to answer for that. I can only answer for what happened with me."
He said Leon may simply not have had any business proposals relevant to Tshwane at the time.
"There was never a conversation where he came to my office. If he ever came to my office, there would have been witnesses."
Questions timing of allegations
Msimanga criticised the affidavit reportedly submitted to the Public Protector, describing it as vague.
"Nobody says they were pressured. It says it made me feel uncomfortable. Who made you feel uncomfortable? What did you do with it?"
He questioned why the allegations were only emerging years later.
"Nine years later, this is the time this thing comes up."
He added that Mashaba had previously raised concerns publicly, creating opportunities for others to come forward much earlier.
Tender processes should remain independent
Responding to comparisons with similar conduct in the ANC, Msimanga said elected officials should never influence procurement decisions.
"There should never be any minister involved in awarding tenders. There should never be any MEC, mayor or MMC involved in awarding tenders."
He said it was common for business people to approach politicians with proposals, but elected officials should simply direct them to the relevant officials.
"That has happened and that will continue to happen, irrespective of political affiliation."
DA to investigate allegations
Msimanga confirmed the DA intends examining the allegations internally.
"There are allegations that have been made that the party now needs to test. We need to investigate."
He said the findings would be made public because the party had "never been allergic to scrutiny".
The Democratic Alliance's internal divisions have intensified after former leader John Steenhuisen alleged that Resolve Communications used its proximity to DA ministers in the Government of National Unity to benefit private clients. Resolve Executive Chairman Tony Leon has strongly denied the claims, calling them politically motivated and without evidence, while ActionSA in an open letter from national chairperson Michael Beaumont to Leon, has called for an independent investigation into what it describes as possible "state capture" within the GNU.
Image: IOL Graphics
He stressed, however, that due process would be followed.
Asked whether the investigation would begin with Leon being asked to account, Msimanga said the outcome would depend on whether any wrongdoing by DA public representatives was established.
"If any of our ministers or MECs are involved, then it takes a different turn."
He said evidence of ministers improperly influencing procurement could point to corruption or criminal conduct.
"We have a responsibility to speak to people mentioned in the allegations and verify what happened."
‘We will not hide wrongdoing'
Msimanga defended DA office-bearers, saying there
was no evidence they had acted improperly.
"Should there be anything untoward, we will not hide it. We will expose it and deal with it."
He distinguished between the activities of a private consultancy and the conduct of public officials.
"It's when our own ministers that we deploy act in an inappropriate manner that it becomes a problem."
He added that no timeline had yet been set for the investigation because the matter would first be discussed by the DA's Federal Executive next week.
Growing pressure over Resolve Communications
The controversy surrounding Resolve Communications has intensified in recent weeks.
Steenhuisen alleged the firm arranged meetings between Communications Minister Solly Malatsi and Starlink, which is seeking to operate in South Africa despite not meeting local ownership requirements.
Former Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille told IOL Resolve assisted with the city's Day Zero drought communication campaign as a subcontractor appointed by another company.
She also said Leon had previously approached the city on behalf of Uber and hosted a DA fundraising event before the 2016 local government elections.
Former DA MP Dion George said Resolve repeatedly sought meetings regarding waste management company Redisa, but he declined because the company was involved in litigation affecting his department.
ActionSA, the ANC, the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) and Parliament have all called for investigations into Resolve's dealings with government officials.
Malatsi has also been asked to explain his reported meetings involving Resolve and Starlink.
Leon and Resolve Communications have denied any wrongdoing, maintaining they do not influence government decisions.
New DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has argued it is normal for ministers to meet businesses and lobby groups.
None of the allegations have been proven, and no findings of wrongdoing have been made.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the truth must emerge regarding allegations involving lobbying firm Resolve Communications.
Image: Siyabulela Duda/GCIS.
Ramaphosa weighs in
Asked why the allegations should not be viewed as another form of state capture or influence peddling, Msimanga said the DA welcomed scrutiny.
"We are not going to hide anything. We will test these allegations and make the outcome public."
President Cyril Ramaphosa also commented on the matter on Monday during the launch of the Chris Hani Region Volunteers Drive at Qamata Great Place in Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape.
"The allegations we are hearing about Tony Leon really smack of the type of state capture that has been talked about," Ramaphosa said.
"The very people who have been campaigning against state capture are now themselves deeply immersed in influencing where contracts should go. The truth will still need to come out."
Msimanga dismissed Ramaphosa's criticism.
"It is interesting that the president of the country and the president of the ANC, whose administration has been associated with state capture, is making these claims."
He said if there had been any improper influence, authorities should investigate.
"If there has been influence, we will get to the bottom of it. The president has the resources to investigate this matter and we would welcome such an investigation."
He reiterated that the DA would cooperate fully with any independent inquiry.
"We pride ourselves on being a party that has not been involved in corruption and that is transparent. We would welcome any investigation."
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