DJ Sbu denies R100 million Ekurhuleni grant scandal allegations
SBU Leope, popularly known as DJ Sbu has rejected claims made in the Madlanga Commission that he and his former business partner Thembinkosi Nciza unlawfully benefited from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Muncipality's grants-in-aid scheme.
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In a dramatic turn of events, media personality and entrepreneur Sbu “DJ Sbu” Leope has categorically denied allegations that he and former ANC Gauteng secretary Thembinkosi “TK” Nciza illicitly profited from over R100 million in Grants-in-Aid from the City of Ekurhuleni. The contentious claims were made public on Monday during the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where suspended head of Legal and Risk Services, advocate Kemi Behari, delivered startling testimony that reverberated across both political and business spheres.
Behari’s testimony suggested that internal investigations indicated Leope and Nciza as principal beneficiaries of a grants programme that is already engulfed in scandal.
“I said to my HOD at the time, the only people we can call now is TK Nciza and Sbu Leope, because they’re the ones who the evidence is pointing to as having benefited from this entire thing,” Behari stated, effectively placing the two influential figures at the forefront of an investigation directed at alleged malpractice within the Ekurhuleni municipality.
Responding swiftly, Leope described the allegations as “false, misleading, and unsubstantiated,” claiming that Behari was attempting to divert attention from personal predicaments.
“I categorically deny any involvement in wrongdoing, misconduct, or unethical activity of any kind,” he asserted, labelling the accusations as unfounded fabrications that threaten to tarnish his reputation.
In his defence, Leope emphasised his commitment to integrity in his career spanning broadcasting, entrepreneurship, and community development.
“I have not benefited from any improper conduct. I have not influenced any legal or administrative processes unlawfully,” he stated, signalling his intent to pursue legal action against what he termed as defamatory assertions.
Leope expressed confidence in the commission’s eventual ability to differentiate between fact and unfounded allegation. He called upon the public and the media to approach the matter judiciously, urging them to verify claims prior to dissemination, highlighting the potentially damaging impact of unverified accusations.
The Madlanga Commission is scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday, with Behari expected to continue his testimony, further unraveling the intricacies of this complex inquiry.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
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