Day two of the state capture probe is expected to resume, with the first batch of witnesses to testify
The first set of witnesses in the state capture inquiry are expected to take to the stand on Tuesday, 21 August 2018. Willie Mathebula, Treasury’s chief procurement officer will be the first to testify at the hearings in Parktown, Johannesburg. On Monday, the legal representatives of some implicated individuals, including former President Jacob Zuma, former Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown and the Gupta brothers told the commission that they needed more time to respond to the evidence.
The commission is looking into allegations of state capture, corruption and fraud within the public sector. Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is presiding over the proceedings. Zondo was appointed by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, who was empowered by then President Jacob Zuma to elect someone to head the probe.
The list of witnesses includes Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas, former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor and Acting GCIS CEO Phumla Williams. Zuma, who lies at the centre of the allegations, is also expected to give testimony at a later stage of the proceedings. The former president is accused of colluding with the Gupta family to loot state coffers and influence government decisions and appointments.
Jonas alleges that in 2015 he was offered R600 million and a promotion to finance minister by the Guptas – an offer he says he declined.
Mentor claims that she was offered to be the public enterprises minister – a post which would have seen her exercise oversight on various parastatals including Eskom, Transnet and Prasa.
Thabo Baloyi
t.baloyi@politicalanalysis.co.za
