CAPE TOWN, Western Cape — The African National Congress (ANC) is intensifying its demands for parliamentary accountability, asserting that the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) decision to remove Mark Burke from its finance committees falls short of addressing the gravity of the allegations against him. ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli has announced intentions to open a criminal case against the embattled MP, arguing that stepping down from oversight roles does not absolve Burke of potential involvement in a massive financial scandal.
The controversy centers on Kastelo Limited, a fintech company co-founded by Burke, which is currently under investigation by the South African Reserve Bank for alleged exchange control violations. In response to the growing scrutiny, the DA removed Burke from Parliament’s Committee on Finance and related clusters, stating the move was necessary to manage perceptions of a conflict of interest during an internal party probe. Burke has maintained that he resigned as chairperson of the Kastelo Group two years ago and is no longer involved in its daily operations. Following his departure from the committee, DA MP Kingsley Walin was appointed to fill the vacant position.
However, Ntuli contends that the DA’s action was a reactive measure driven by public pressure rather than a genuine commitment to institutional integrity. Emphasizing the severity of the situation, the ANC Chief Whip revealed he will formally open a criminal case against Burke at a police station in Cape Town this Friday. Ntuli argued that a public representative cannot remain in office while linked to allegations of defrauding the system of nearly 4 billion rand, an act he warned would severely undermine the national economy.
Broadening his critique of the DA’s internal disciplinary processes, Ntuli pointed to the recent, understated removal of DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard from the joint standing committee on intelligence. According to Ntuli, this quiet removal only occurred after the ANC persistently demanded that she be referred to the ethics committee to answer for alleged violations of the oath of office she took as a committee member.
When pressed on whether these public confrontations could destabilize the working relationship within the Government of National Unity (GNU), Ntuli dismissed the necessity of behind-the-scenes negotiations. He emphasized that all members of Parliament are bound by their oath to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Consequently, the ANC views it as a constitutional duty to address misconduct directly, regardless of political alliances or party affiliations.
The interview also addressed accusations that the ANC is attempting to shield its own leadership during the Section 89 impeachment inquiry. Ntuli clarified that the ANC’s parliamentary study group deliberately abstained from voting on the appointment of Advocate Griffiths Madonsela as the evidence leader for the committee. He explained this abstention was a strategic choice to demonstrate objectivity, ensuring the party did not appear to be hand-picking the individual tasked with questioning the President.
Nevertheless, Ntuli openly acknowledged that Advocate Madonsela had previously been retained by the ANC headquarters to provide legal guidance on navigating the rules and procedures of the impeachment process. To ensure full transparency, Ntuli noted that the ANC Secretary-General had already officially disclosed this advisory relationship to the Speaker of Parliament, preventing any future claims of concealment.
Finally, Ntuli addressed recent parliamentary friction regarding Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and the disbanding of the political killings task team. Ntuli clarified that the ANC’s objection during the committee hearings was strictly a matter of interpreting the Minister’s testimony. He argued that Mchunu cited a combination of multiple factors that led to his decision, rather than admitting to being primarily influenced by a single piece of outside information, a distinction Ntuli stressed was critical to the official record.
