Posts for August 2020
3 August 2020
On Monday morning the chairperson of the commission of inquiry into state capture, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, dismissed yet another application for the postponement of the oral evidence of Judge Nana Makhubele.
Chairperson dismisses another Makhubele application to postpone
4 August 2020
Former director-general (DG) of the Department of Human Settlements Thabane Zulu has been named as one of the alleged indirect beneficiaries of an irregular contract awarded by the Free State government in 2014 in respect of a housing project that never took off, but cost the state over R200- million nevertheless.
Former DG Zulu scored a Maserati from failed FS project
5 August 2020
Judge Nana Makhubele, the former board chairperson of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), has denied that former president Jacob Zuma deployed her to the position in October 2017. Hers was an independent, economic decision that had nothing to with politics.
Prasa role had nothing to do with Zuma says Makhubele
6 August 2020
Former director-general of the Department of Human Settlements Thabane Zulu has denied receiving any benefits for his role in the asbestos eradication project entered into by the Free State government in 2014.
Zulu denies benefiting from asbestos deal
7 August 2020
Slain businessman Ignatius “Igo” Mpambani was not only the mastermind behind the R255-million joint venture (JV) contract entered into with the Free State government for the eradication of asbestos roofing in the province’s houses, but he also offered to “unlock opportunities” in this regard.
Well-connected Mpambani unlocked R255m asbestos deal
7 August 2020
The director of a company that was involved in the 2014 Free State asbestos project has told the commission of inquiry into state capture of a possible concealment of evidence in the matter. Kgotso Manyike’s ORI Group is the only company that did any work in the project, auditing and assessing over 300 000 houses across the province in 2014 in an effort to determine the extent of the need for the replacement of asbestos roofing across the province.
Hidden evidence and false promises in FS asbestos deal
11 August 2020
If government were to insist on cabinet ministers only appointing special advisors from among people known to them, South Africa could run the risk of nepotism and cronyism in these all-important roles. This was the parting shot from former finance minister Des van Rooyen as he responded to the last question, completing his testimony before the commission of inquiry into state capture on Tuesday.
Hasty advisor appointments because of time pressure, claims Van Rooyen
12 August 2020
The chairperson of the commission of inquiry into state capture, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, had harsh words for public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan on Wednesday as he was a no-show for his cross examination by former Sars commissioner Tom Moyane.
No-show Gordhan earns harsh words from chairperson
12 August 2020
Former Prasa attorney Madimpe Mogashoa has confirmed that he received instructions in December 2017 from then interim board chairperson Judge Nana Makhubele to settle claims brought against the agency by contractor Siyaya Group. Until that point, Prasa had urged him to defend the claims.
Former Prasa chair pressured lawyer to settle Siyaya claims
13 August 2020
Frequent trips to Saxonwold, money bags in boots of state cars, and death threats. These are some of the shenanigans about which the commission of inquiry into state capture heard on Thursday.
Former bodyguards reveal shady dealings of high profilers
19 August 2020
Businessman Edwin Sodi struggled to find his way out of a barrage of questions over a spreadsheet presumably meant to detail expenses his company, Blackhead Consulting, was to incur in relation to the R255-million asbestos eradication contract it entered into with the Free State government in 2014.
Deceased Mpambani behind kickback spreadsheet says partner
20 August 2020
Former Ipid head Robert McBride told the commission of inquiry into state capture on Thursday that if the directorate received enough funding from the state, it would not have to rely on outside help in its cases. He was defending Ipid’s use of information and assistance from private investigator Paul O’Sullivan in a case involving former acting national police commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane in 2016.
McBride defends Ipid stance on Phahlane probe
25 August 2020
The evidence of former environmental affairs minister Nomvula Mokonyane that no birthday party of hers was ever paid for by Bosasa nor hosted at the Victoria Guest House in Krugersdorp has been contradicted by the owner of the venue, Frederick Coetzee. He appeared before the commission of inquiry into state capture on Tuesday.
Mokonyane birthday party evidence challenged
28 August 2020
The Free State human settlements head of department Nthimose Mokhesi has admitted that his department failed to comply with provisions for unsolicited proposals when it accepted one for the R255-million asbestos eradication project in 2014.
Provisions flouted for asbestos project deviation, says HoD
31 August 2020
On Monday the commission of inquiry into state capture heard the evidence of Sandy Thomas, personal assistant to former environmental affairs minister Nomvula Mokonyane.
