“It’s factually incorrect” — Mathale rejects accusations he ruined Limpopo

Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale has dismissed claims by Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Glynnis Breytenbach that he “ran Limpopo into the ground” during his tenure as premier, calling the assertion “factually incorrect.”

The exchange took place during the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee hearings into corruption and political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS). Breytenbach, a former prosecutor, confronted Mathale about his past leadership record, suggesting that his time as premier was marked by financial mismanagement and administrative collapse in Limpopo.

In response, Mathale firmly rejected the accusation, stating that the province had been politically and administratively stable during his leadership. “It’s factually incorrect,” he said, maintaining that his record as premier did not justify the criticism directed at him.Mathale served as Premier of Limpopo between 2009 and 2013 before being recalled amid tensions within the African National Congress (ANC). His tenure coincided with a period when the provincial government was placed under partial administration, a move critics attributed to alleged governance failures — a claim Mathale continues to dispute.

His rebuttal added a tense moment to the ongoing parliamentary proceedings, which have seen several political figures, including former ministers Bheki Cele and Senzo Mchunu, grilled on issues ranging from political meddling in police operations to questionable decision-making in the Ministry of Police.

As the Ad Hoc Committee continues its probe, Mathale’s political past and his current role in the ministry remain under the microscope, with MPs pressing for clarity on accountability within the SAPS and the ministry’s leadership.

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