- The EFF says that the accusations against its leaders Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu in a new book by Jacques Pauw are unfounded.
- Malema’s businessman and partner Adriano Mazzotti and his business partner Mohammadh Sayed have also denied the allegations.
- The book quotes Malema’s former housekeeper, who “spreads the beans” about the lavish lifestyles she witnessed.
The EFF says the allegations contained in a new book by author and journalist Jacques Pauw are “not worth the paper they are printed on” and “lacking substance”.
EFF spokesman Sinawo Tambo responded on behalf of EFF leader Julius Malema and his deputy Floyd Shivambu.
On Friday, News24 reported that several accusations were made against Malema and Shivambu in Pauw’s new book. Our Poisoned Land: Living in the Shadow of Zuma’s Guardiansa sequel to The President’s Guardianswhich was published in 2017.
In the book, Pauw quotes “Margaret”, a former housekeeper to Adriano Mazzotti and Malema, and chef John Mbewe.
They lifted the veil on the alleged dealings of the leader of the brand of fire with the confessed tobacco smuggler Mazzotti, ranging from organizing lavish parties to Malema allegedly receiving cash envelopes from the businessman.
Malema allegedly held secret meetings with Mazzotti, one of which was also attended by Shivambu.
Malema and Mazzotti were also allegedly hosting lavish parties at the luxurious Raphael Penthouse Suites in Sandton, Johannesburg, where Shivambu was allegedly a regular.
The EFF said:
We know that Jacques Pauw has a history of building stories, mostly since his arrest at the Waterfront for intoxication and disorderly conduct. The new book is just another way for Jacques Pauw to reinvigorate his career, and we don’t think the story has substance.
Margaret claimed to have witnessed Mohammadh Sayed, one of Mazzotti’s co-managers at his company Carnilinx, bring “up to eight bags of cash” into the factory daily.
She said she witnessed this when she brought food to the boardroom, where Mazzotti and Sayed allegedly counted the money. She said this happened once a month or more, adding that they stacked some of the money in envelopes marked “Ju”, supposedly for Malema.
READ | Money, alcohol and condoms: what Malema and Mazzotti’s housekeeper saw
Mazzotti and Sayed also denied the allegations in the book, saying this was the second time Pauw had smeared Mazzotti in his books. The two said the allegations against him were an attempt to “smear, damage and damage” his reputation.
Below is a full, unedited response from Mazzotti and Sayed:
*Margaret is not the former housekeeper’s real name. Her name was changed to protect her identity.
