The Excuse Playbook

"The government is taking decisive steps to address ghost workers. We have flagged 8,854 high-risk cases and will eliminate them from the payroll."

MTBPS 2025

"CFO Bernice Potgieter "floundered through hours of testimony while insisting, against all evidence, that the RAF had done nothing wrong under her watch.""

Testimony to SCOPA defending IPSAS 42 and RAF accounting.

"Mabe maintains innocence and challenged the SIU report, attempting to have charges dropped."

Court representations

"Suspended RAF CEO accuses "judicial elites" of orchestrating a campaign to remove him."

Response after suspension and court dismissal of reinstatement bid.

"RAF CEO denies wrongdoing in R79M lease deal; claims PIC recommended Mowana Properties and National Treasury "supports the deviation.""

Defense of R79 million lease scandal after SIU investigation found irregular tender manipulation.

"Stop arresting people before concluding investigations."

Public statement, March 2025

"Letsoalo and CFO Potgieter defended IPSAS 42 accounting switch as lawful and appropriate for RAF operations."

Defense during litigation against Auditor-General.

"The parliamentary ethics findings are proof of nothing."

EFF response to ethics committee finding Floyd Shivambu guilty of failing to disclose R180,000 payment

"We have established a task team to address the hijacked buildings crisis. The challenge is complex, involving housing rights, the PIE Act, and the need for alternative accommodation before evictions can proceed."

Municipal response after Usindiso fire

"The Section 194 process is unconstitutional and politically motivated. I am being removed for doing my job and holding the powerful accountable."

Legal challenge to Section 194 Committee process

"Ms Mampane denies any wrongdoing. The NPOs that received grants were legitimate organisations delivering services to communities."

Legal response to SIU and SCOPA inquiry

"The Section 89 process has been concluded. The National Assembly has spoken. We must respect the democratic process and move forward."

ANC statement after the National Assembly vote blocking impeachment

"I am being politically targeted. My prosecution is linked to ANC factional politics and my candidacy for the ANC presidency."

Public statements during ANC elective conference campaign period

"The PAN was a legitimate, authorised intelligence programme necessary for national security."

Court challenge of Zondo Commission report, December 2022

"I did not personally conceal the money. The security arrangements at the farm were handled by my staff. I was not aware of the specific details of how the proceeds were stored."

Submissions to Section 89 Panel

"We have arrested 21 police members for involvement in infrastructure theft."

Parliamentary briefing — Minister of Police

"The department has strengthened its monitoring systems and is implementing consequence management against non-performing service providers. We take the nutrition of our learners extremely seriously."

KZN Education budget vote debate

"I deny any conflict of interest in serving on the Transnet board while having business interests in companies awarded Transnet contracts."

Court appearance / media statement after arrest

"This is a campaign by white monopoly capital to destroy black businesses."

Legal bid to set aside Mpati Commission report

"Cadre deployment was about transformation -- ensuring that the state reflected the demographics of the country after centuries of exclusion."

Response to the Zondo Commission's finding that cadre deployment is unconstitutional

"NSFAS is managing an unprecedented expansion in student funding. The challenges we face are a result of the massive growth in our mandate, not governance failures."

Parliamentary briefing on NSFAS challenges

"The allegations against me are politically motivated by the Ramaphosa faction of the ANC. This is factional warfare, not genuine accountability."

Various public statements and legal submissions responding to Zondo Commission findings

"Deployment is just making recommendations — departments make the final appointments."

ANC response to leaked deployment committee minutes

"I was implementing government policy."

Defending R55M GCIS spending on Gupta media at Zondo Commission

"I was implementing government policy."

Defending GCIS advertising spending on Gupta media at Zondo Commission

"The people are expressing their democratic right to protest. #FreeJacobZuma"

Multiple social media posts during the unrest

"I have been a victim of a faction that is using the judiciary to persecute me. My incarceration was unjust."

Zuma Foundation statement during the unrest

"I am not afraid of going to jail. It would not be the first time. I was jailed by a court that was hostile towards me."

Public statement before handover

"My trial is a political conspiracy. I am being persecuted, not prosecuted. The judiciary is biased against me."

Statement before the Constitutional Court contempt of court ruling

"The work that Digital Vibes did was legitimate and important for NHI awareness and COVID-19 communication. The department needed these services."

Statement to media defending the contract substance

"COVID-19 has caused unavoidable delays to the STB distribution programme. We are committed to completing migration."

Parliamentary briefing

"I did not receive any cash payments from the SSA. The allegations are fabricated."

Testimony to the Zondo Commission, May 2021

"I had no involvement in the awarding of the Digital Vibes contract. The procurement was handled by the department's supply chain management."

Public statement after Daily Maverick/Scorpio expose

"The step-aside resolution is selectively applied. I am suspending the president of the ANC, Cyril Ramaphosa."

Counter-letter attempting to suspend Ramaphosa from the ANC

"I am the victim of political persecution. The process against me was flawed from the start."

Public response to Tribunal finding

"The problems at PRASA started after I left. The current board is trying to blame me for everything. There is a campaign against me driven by those who want to loot PRASA themselves."

Zondo Commission testimony and media interviews

"I did not personally benefit from any PRASA contracts. I acted in the best interests of the organisation. The procurement decisions were made through proper processes."

Zondo Commission testimony — denied all corruption allegations

"The fence is not fit for purpose and will not be repaired. I was not personally involved in selecting the contractors."

Parliamentary response, 2021

"I did not communicate with Salim Essa."

Testimony at Zondo Commission

"This commission is biased against me. It is part of a political agenda to destroy me."

Statement refusing to appear before Zondo Commission

"I am innocent. This prosecution is politically motivated."

Statement after arrest on fraud charges

"I am innocent. This prosecution is politically motivated."

Statement after arrest on asbestos charges

"I am innocent. This prosecution is politically motivated. It is designed to silence me and to advance factional interests within the ANC."

Public statement after arrest on Free State asbestos fraud charges

"My cellphone tracking activities were legitimate debt collection work, not related to any assassination."

Defense after arrest for Kinnear murder conspiracy

"SAPS management was not aware of the full extent of threats against Lt-Col Kinnear. The threat assessment process was followed."

Ministerial response after Kinnear assassination

"The Land Bank's mandate is developmental, not purely commercial. The challenges reflect the difficulty of serving emerging farmers in a developing economy."

SCOPA hearing testimony

"Emergency procurement provisions necessitated expedited processes. We had to act quickly to save lives."

Various government statements

"Emergency procurement provisions necessitated expedited processes. We had to act quickly to save lives."

Various government statements defending COVID procurement

"I am confident that the SIU investigation will clear my name. The procurement was conducted in an emergency and I was not personally involved in the tender processes."

Media statement after being placed on special leave

"I was not involved in the procurement process. This was handled at departmental level."

Parliamentary response regarding the Beitbridge fence

"The fence was erected under emergency COVID-19 provisions to protect South Africa's borders during the pandemic."

DPWI public statement

"COVID-19 lockdowns caused an unprecedented disruption to agricultural supply chains and farmer cash flows, making it impossible to meet debt obligations."

Land Bank management statement

"COVID-19 made continued operations impossible."

Liquidation proceedings

"OUTA and SAAPA are pursuing me for political reasons. This is a campaign against transformation."

Defence in Pretoria High Court delinquent director proceedings

"The department has developed a remediation plan to address the AG's findings. Progress is being made."

Parliamentary committee hearing

"The CR17 campaign was conducted with the best intentions of revitalising our movement. The donors supported a vision for South Africa, not personal enrichment."

Response to scrutiny of CR17 funding and the Watson/Bosasa donation

"I never lied about matric certificate."

Testimony at Zondo Commission, September 2019

"All grants are awarded through a rigorous, independent evaluation process. The allegations in the media are unfounded and defamatory."

NLC official response to GroundUp investigation

"The courts are wrong. I acted within my constitutional mandate. This is a political attack on my office and on transformation."

Public statement after Constitutional Court SARB judgment

"As Minister of State Security, I relied on the Director-General and operational leadership to manage day-to-day operations. The SSA operates under strict classification and I could not have known about every operational detail."

Zondo Commission testimony when questioned about oversight failure

"It was a misunderstanding."

Zondo Commission testimony

"Denied knowledge of accounting irregularities through legal representatives."

Response after PwC forensic report findings published

"These charges are politically motivated. This is part of a factional campaign to remove me from power."

Post-arrest public statements, 2019

"This is a campaign by white monopoly capital and racist media to destroy black businesses."

Public statements and Independent Media editorial response

"Project delays were caused by contractor underperformance, not the department's or water board's management."

Parliamentary oversight hearing

"Independent Media maintains editorial independence."

Response to media capture allegations

"I did not have a corrupt relationship with the Gupta family."

Zondo Commission testimony and public statements

"The security installation at my home was a loan from Bosasa, not a bribe. The payment for my daughter's education was a personal arrangement with Mr Watson."

Defence offered during Zondo Commission testimony and subsequent criminal trial

"Papa Leshabane is a family friend. The security upgrades were a personal favour in the context of a traditional wedding at my Cala home. There was nothing sinister about it."

Public response to Bosasa allegations after Agrizzi testimony at Zondo Commission

"I did not know who paid for the security upgrades at my homes. If Bosasa paid, I was not aware of it."

Response to Agrizzi testimony naming him as a beneficiary of Bosasa-funded security upgrades at three properties

"The Ayo investment followed proper PIC processes and the valuation was justified based on growth potential."

Mpati Commission testimony

"I deny receiving any payments from Bosasa. These allegations are part of a broader political campaign against me."

Statement through spokesperson in response to Agrizzi testimony alleging R300,000 monthly cash payments

"I never received any cash payments from Bosasa. Any gifts I received were from a personal friendship with Mr Watson and had nothing to do with government contracts."

Public statement in response to Agrizzi testimony alleging R50,000 monthly cash payments and lavish gifts

"Mr Agrizzi is a disgruntled former employee who was dismissed for misconduct. His testimony is fabricated and motivated by personal vengeance."

Public response to Agrizzi's Zondo Commission testimony, relayed through legal representatives

"I acted in the best interests of SAA at all times. The decisions I made were to protect the airline from bad deals."

Testimony and written submissions to the Zondo Commission

"I reject these allegations. Gavin Watson was my friend. The gifts were personal, between friends. There was no quid pro quo."

Response to Agrizzi Zondo Commission testimony

"I reject the allegations against me."

Response to Bosasa and DWS corruption allegations at Zondo Commission

"I acted within my ministerial authority. Board appointments followed proper process."

Zondo Commission testimony

"I was unaware of any wrongdoing at VBS."

Response to Motau report identifying R17.8M in gratuitous payments including Dainfern property, luxury vehicles, and R300K monthly stipend

"The restructuring of SARS was a legitimate business improvement exercise. Bain was engaged through proper procurement processes. The so-called "rogue unit" within SARS was a genuine concern."

Testimony at the Nugent Commission

"The Principal Agent Network and related operations were necessary for national security purposes and cannot be discussed publicly due to classification requirements. These are legitimate intelligence operations."

Response to Mufamadi Panel findings, relayed through legal representatives and public statements

"Land reform is a complex process that requires patience and sustained investment."

Parliamentary briefing on PLAS outcomes

"The airline industry is extremely competitive and challenging. SAA's financial difficulties are due to market conditions, high fuel costs, and global aviation headwinds — not governance."

Public statements defending SAA performance

"The Fireblade affidavit was not intentionally misleading."

Constitutional Court proceedings

"The bank was a victim of a run on deposits triggered by media reports."

Initial public response to curatorship

"The Section 100 intervention is a political move to remove me, not about governance."

Response to Section 100(1)(b) intervention

"Swifambo was a legitimate business that won a competitive tender process. The locomotive issues were manufacturing defects, not fraud."

Response to the High Court judgment setting aside the contract

"The protests are a regime change agenda orchestrated by those opposed to radical economic transformation."

Response to Mahikeng protests

"I reject allegations of corruption. The department followed all proper procedures."

Public statements responding to SIU investigation reports

"I inherited a mess from previous administrations and have been working to fix it."

State of the Province Address defence

"I am being persecuted because I am a woman in a position of power. This is a gender-based attack."

Public statement in response to personal costs order application

"Allegations of branch rigging in the Free State are politically motivated attacks by those who lost at conference."

Media interview as newly elected ANC Secretary General

"The trip to Switzerland was in my capacity as Minister to engage with international mining investors. There was nothing improper about meeting Glencore executives."

Parliamentary response to questions about Switzerland trip

"The Giyani water crisis was caused by drought conditions beyond the department's control. Emergency procurement was necessary to respond rapidly."

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation hearing

"I am the victim of a political conspiracy within the ANC."

Response to allegations of involvement in Mpumalanga political violence

"I made big mistakes and I'm sorry."

WhatsApp message to friends after resignation; Jooste remained largely silent publicly

"Reports of a water crisis are exaggerated by opposition-aligned media."

Response to water crisis reporting

"The payments were legitimate consulting fees for advisory services rendered in connection with the Gautrain project."

Defense of commission payments when exposed by investigative journalism

"SAA is a strategic national asset that must be supported. The government will continue to provide the necessary support."

Presidential statements justifying continued SAA bailouts

"I have always acted in the best interests of the beneficiaries."

Media statement ahead of Constitutional Court hearing

"The department inherited backlogs from the previous dispensation. Land reform is complex and these are teething problems, not systemic failures."

Parliamentary portfolio committee hearing on DRDLR audit outcomes

"I established parallel workstreams to ensure a smooth transition away from CPS. This was responsible governance."

Affidavit filed before the Constitutional Court

"Financial statement delays are due to the complexity of airline accounting and systems migration."

Response to Parliamentary inquiry on late submissions

"Nuclear energy is a sovereign decision. Those who oppose nuclear are serving foreign interests who want to keep Africa dependent on fossil fuels."

Parliamentary briefing

"SASSA has a workstream in place and will be ready by 1 April 2017. There is no crisis."

Parliamentary statement on SASSA readiness

"The project was done in the interests of patients, to integrate them into communities as per international best practice."

Statement before the Health Ombud

"The Hawks are an independent law enforcement body. We investigate based on evidence, not politics."

Media briefing defending fraud charges against Pravin Gordhan

"The strategic partner model is designed to ensure knowledge transfer and sustainability on land reform farms."

Parliamentary briefing on RADP

"Olver's book is an attack on the ANC and transformation."

ANC NMB response to "How to Steal a City" publication

"I have never stolen anything from the state. The Guptas are my friends — there is nothing wrong with having friends who are in business."

Media interview after State of Capture report release

"I was never at the Gupta residence. I was in the vicinity because I was visiting a shebeen owned by a friend — a woman I fell in love with."

Parliamentary committee response to phone record evidence placing him near the Gupta Saxonwold compound

"Eskom's problems are a legacy of apartheid-era under-investment in electricity generation capacity."

Parliamentary portfolio committee testimony

"The prosecution of Minister Gordhan is based on evidence, not politics. The NPA does not act on political instructions."

Press conference announcing fraud charges against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan

"The transfer was a cost-saving measure and was done in the best interests of patients."

Public statements during the transfer period, 2016

"I have done nothing wrong at Transnet. My conscience is clear. I was visiting a shisanyama near Saxonwold — that explains my phone records in the area."

Parliamentary portfolio committee testimony — broke down in tears when questioned about phone records showing 44 visits near Gupta Saxonwold compound

"The SABC 8 were insubordinate. They violated editorial policies by broadcasting material that was banned."

SABC statement on disciplinary action against the SABC 8

"The VR Laser partnership is a commercially sound joint venture to access Asian markets and grow Denel's export revenue."

Denel board public statements defending the partnership

"The irregular expenditure findings are legacy issues that are being addressed through our procurement reform programme. Current management is cooperating fully with the SIU."

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications oversight session

"The aviation industry is highly competitive and fuel prices have made regional routes unviable."

Parliamentary oversight hearings

"The Gupta family are legitimate businesspeople who have created thousands of jobs in South Africa. The allegations against them are a political witch-hunt."

Statement via Oakbay Investments press office

"I have always respected the Constitution. I will abide by the Constitutional Court's judgment and pay back the money."

Public statement after the Constitutional Court judgment

"South Africa needs nuclear energy. Load shedding has shown we cannot rely on coal alone. Nuclear is clean, reliable baseload power. The IRP 2010, adopted by Cabinet, includes 9,600 MW of nuclear."

State of the Nation Address

"The locomotive specifications were based on international best practice. The gauge clearance issues were a technical oversight, not corruption."

Response to "Derailed" report findings

"The non-encryption policy is in the best interest of the poor. Encryption would increase STB costs and delay the programme."

Parliamentary briefing

"The swimming pool at the President's Nkandla residence is a fire pool, a fire-fighting tool that is part of the security infrastructure."

Presentation to the National Assembly as Minister of Police

"The Commission finds that there is no evidence of any fraud, corruption, impropriety, or irregularity in the Strategic Defence Procurement Package."

Seriti Commission final report

"The SABC board is independent. As Minister, I do not interfere in the board's operational decisions."

Parliamentary response to questions about SABC governance

"I didn't ask for the upgrades. The Department of Public Works did the work. I even complained about the trees that were removed."

Response during parliamentary session

"The opposition is using Nkandla to score political points and undermine the government. This is a manufactured scandal driven by political enemies."

ANC press statements and parliamentary debates defending Zuma

"I have a matric, the Public Protector is wrong. This is a politically motivated attack on me."

Public response to Public Protector's report

"The partnership with Estina/Paras is a model for agricultural development. The project will create jobs and food security for the people of Vrede."

Media statements defending the dairy project after amaBhungane expose

"The Estina dairy project is a legitimate partnership with an Indian company to develop agriculture in the Free State and empower black farmers."

Official provincial government statement defending the project

"The Section 100 intervention is politically motivated. Limpopo's financial problems are the result of inadequate funding from National Treasury, not mismanagement."

Public statement following Section 100 intervention

"The problems are inherited from the previous administration."

Response to Section 100 intervention announcement

"I am merely a non-executive director. I am not responsible for the day-to-day operations of the mines."

Parliamentary hearings and media responses, 2010

"The funding is imminent. We have Chinese investors, Indian investors, and international funders ready to transfer. The money is about to come through."

Various media statements and correspondence with liquidators, 2009-2011 — repeated monthly for 14 months

"The GTL feedstock challenges are a geological reality, not a management failure. We are actively pursuing alternative gas sources."

Parliamentary portfolio committee hearings

"I am terminally ill and unable to survive in prison."

Department of Correctional Services granted medical parole; reported to be in final stages of illness

"The complaint against me is a political conspiracy. I am being targeted because I represent transformation in the judiciary."

Public statement after ConCourt complaint

"There is a political conspiracy against me. The timing of these charges is designed to prevent me from becoming President."

Various public statements, court applications, 2009 "spy tapes" basis for dropping charges

"The share dealings were in the interest of company strategy and black economic empowerment in the mining sector."

Various public statements and board meetings, 2004-2005

"The Mercedes-Benz was a normal transaction and was not connected to the Arms Deal evaluation."

Defence at trial

"I purchased the vehicle at a discount available to all customers."

Defence during fraud trial

"The Arms Deal involves matters of national security and cannot be fully investigated in public. Classification of documents prevents disclosure."

Used repeatedly to block SCOPA investigation, restrict JIT access, and limit Seriti Commission scope

"The Arms Deal includes empowerment requirements and offsets that will create 65,000 jobs and R104 billion in investment — this is transformation."

Parliamentary debates justifying the deal

"These fraud allegations are a political witch-hunt."

Public statement dismissing fraud allegations months before promissory note scheme exposed

"The scale of delivery made mistakes inevitable."

Response to reports of widespread housing fraud

"Cadre deployment is necessary for transformation of the apartheid state."

ANC Mafikeng Conference, justifying the deployment policy

"I gave the order to our security people to defend Shell House and if necessary to use lethal force."

Public statement after the Shell House massacre