Johannesburg – Agang SA leader Mamphela Ramphele could assist in a probe into a black economic empowerment deal allegedly involving ANC chairperson Baleka Mbete and mining firm Gold Fields, the Saturday Star reported.

Speaking at a media briefing this week, Ramphele was quoted as saying: “There is no doubt that I will be asked at some stage.”

She could not comment further.

Gold Fields said this week it was being investigated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Mbete was allegedly a beneficiary in a 2010, R2.1bn deal apparently linked to the granting of a mining licence for the company’s South Deep mine near Johannesburg, the newspaper reported.

The African National Congress said it was considering legal action against the Mail&Guardian newspaper, which reported that Gold Fields buried a New York law firm’s finding that a R25m share allocation to Mbete constituted bribery.

Ramphele was the former chairwoman of Goldfields.

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