Week two of the Zondo Commission into state capture saw the spotlight fall on former president Jacob Zuma and the vast influence that he permitted the Gupta family to wield over various government functions and appointments. Witnesses included former GCIS head Themba Maseko, current acting GCIS director-general Phumla WIlliams, and former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor.
Corruption Watch has made submissions to the Nugent Commission of Inquiry into tax administration and governance, which is sitting at the South African Revenue Service (Sars) and is led by retired Judge Robert Nugent. The submissions highlight the organisation’s ongoing efforts to achieve accountability for alleged acts of corruption and other unlawful conduct on the part of the suspended Sars commissioner Tom Moyane and two senior Sars employees, Jonas Makwakwa and Kelly-Ann Elskie.
South Africa completed its Open Government Partnership commitment in respect of beneficial ownership, the OGP mid-term progress report, released earlier this year, reveals – but its impact is negligible and in addition, civil society organisations have been left out in the cold. The latter situation does not advance the OGP values of access to information and technology and innovation for openness and accountability.
The Constitutional Court today ordered the South African Social Security Agency and its former acting CEO Pearl Bhengu, in her official capacity, to pay costs – including that of an advocate and two counsel – for the agency’s urgent March 2018 application to extend the controversial contract with Cash Paymaster Services. Sassa wanted an extension, which was granted, to an already existing extension – but as the urgency was self-created, the ConCourt ruled today, the applicants were liable for costs.
Some of the Gupta family’s stolen funds from the Estina Dairy Farm project may have been converted into diamonds, write Khadija Sharife and Josy Joseph for the OCCRP. If this is the case, it will be that much harder to trace.
Former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas dropped a bombshell last week in testimony at the Zondo Commission into state capture. He revealed that not only had the Gupta brothers offered him R600-million to become the next finance minister and carry out their agenda from the inside, but that he had been threatened with his life if he told anyone of the meeting at which the offer was made.
Public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan, appearing recently before the parliamentary portfolio committee on public enterprises, revealed his plan for eradicating corruption and bringing back good governance, based on the clear demarcation of powers.
What do you do when it looks like the only chance you’ll have to get that big contract for your small company is through unlawful means? Find out in It’s Time for us to eat, the newest story in the ongoing FunDza Literary Trust / Corruption Watch partnership.
Deputy Chief Justice Raymong Zondo has remarked on the paucity of people willing to come forward and testify at the commission on state capture, now sitting in Johannesburg. But, writes Rebecca Davis in this Daily Maverick piece, are we surprised, given that South Africa’s record at supporting its whistle-blowers is so appalling?