State capture inquiry: Eskom chairperson Jabu Mabuza to take the stand

All eyes are expected to be on Eskom board chairperson Jabu Mabuza, who is scheduled to be the first witness at the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture on Friday as investigators delve into alleged corruption at the power utility.

Mabuza’s testimony comes after the commission’s legal team spent two days setting the scene about the alleged state capture of state-owned entities (SOEs) by shining the spotlight on Eskom.

Their work included a full gap analysis report, which sought to highlight existing reports or findings on Eskom, and statements which had been placed before the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises. 

The commission set down the next three weeks to focus on the power utility. 

ANALYSIS: 

Breaking some bones: The plans for SA’s reformation 

On Wednesday, before tabling his first budget vote in the National Assembly, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni cut a totally different figure than his immediate predecessors.

In 2017 Pravin Gordhan was under siege and warding off repeated attacks from then-president Jacob Zuma while attempting to pacify sceptical financial markets. The strain showed and he used the Budget platform to rally national support.

In 2018 Malusi Gigaba was visibly crestfallen, having just lost his political patron Zuma, who had been removed after a series of strategic manouevres by President Cyril Ramaphosa. He was out of his depth and knew he was on his way out. 

ICYMI: 

Nenegate impact was long lasting, Zondo commission hears 

National Treasury economist Catherine MacLeod told the state capture commission of inquiry that South Africans were worse off after Nhlanhla Nene’s removal as finance minister in December 2015, as a result of financial market movements caused by political uncertainty.

MacLeod was testifying before inquiry chairperson, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, on Tuesday.

Her testimony corroborated that of National Treasury director-general Dondo Mogajane.

In a move which South Africans later dubbed Nenegate, Nene was replaced by Des van Rooyen, who was only in the post for a weekend before he was replaced by Pravin Gordhan. Gordhan is now Minister of Public Enterprises.

ICYMI: 

ANC accepted Bosasa millions for years 

Former ANC treasurer general Zweli Mkhize has admitted that the party accepted donations from Bosasa despite public allegations of corruption, including paying bribes for tenders shrouding the Krugersdorp-based firm.

Mkhize made the admission after being questioned about a 2014 photograph snapped at ANC headquarters, Luthuli House, that shows a Bosasa delegation including Bosasa CEO Gavin Watson and chairperson Joe Gumede with Mkhize.

Mkhize is seen handing over what appears to be a gift bag emblazoned with a picture of former presidents Nelson Mandela and Jacob Zuma with the words: “Thank you for your support to the ANC in 2014”. According to Mkhize, the picture was taken following an “introductory meeting” between Bosasa executives and himself and he could not specifically recall the photograph. 

ICYMI: 

I am in the dark over what went wrong at Eskom – Molefe 

Former Eskom chief executive Brian Molefe says he is in the dark about current problems faced by the power utility, which have seen the return of crippling power cuts as the company battles operational challenges.

Speaking to eNCA on Sunday morning, Molefe said he did not want to apportion blame about what could have occurred at the firm he led between April 2015 and November 2016.

In 2016, former president Jacob Zuma declared that there would be no more power cuts, following a visit to Eskom’s headquarters. 

During the interview, Molefe was asked what had gone wrong between that period and now, and he responded: “I don’t know, because since we have said that three years have passed, and the lights didn’t go off and then they went off.”

ICYMI: 

Des van Rooyen wants to cross-examine former Treasury DG Lungisa Fuzile 

Des van Rooyen, who was appointed finance minister by former president Jacob Zuma for a calamitous weekend in December 2015, wants to apply for leave to cross-examine former Treasury director general Lungisa Fuzile at the state capture commission of inquiry.

Van Rooyen has also indicated his interest in testifying before the commission.

But inquiry chairperson, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, postponed the application, saying that a fresh date would have to be arranged.

“It is important that this commission be fair to all parties,” he said. 

ICYMI: 

The multibillion-rand Bosasa state contracts likely to be affected by the company’s impending liquidation 

Beleaguered facilities management and security company Bosasa, now known as African Global Operations (AGO), announced on Monday that the company was under voluntary liquidation.

The decision comes after the company’s main banking institution, First National Bank, communicated it would close the company’s banking facilities by 28 February, 2019.

AGO and its directors have been accused of corruption and bribery in exchange for state contracts since at least 2008. The details of this alleged corruption was exposed during testimony by former Bosasa chief operations officer Angelo Agrizzi before the state capture commission of inquiry.