State capture: 1st witness
NATIONAL Treasury official Willie Mathebula will be the first witness to take the stand at the state capture inquiry this morning.
Mathebula is expected to thrash out the procurement processes and rules at the National Treasury.
The inquiry is investigating allegations of corruption and state capture levelled against the Gupta family and former president Jacob Zuma.
It has been alleged that the Gupta family used its relationship with Zuma to score business deals with state-owned enterprises. Billions were allegedly paid out to the family in suspicious business deals involving government officials.
The first day of the inquiry was spent on outlining the terms of reference, which will be guided by the State Capture Report released in 2016 by former public protector Thuli Madonsela.
Advocate Thandi Norman outlined the reports that had been received by the commission, one of which is Madonsela’s State Capture report. State entities that have been implicated in the report include Eskom, Denel, SAA, and Transnet.
Norman said other government departments including the National Treasury were in the process of producing reports relevant to the commission’s work which had yet to be submitted.
The commission has admitted various reports, which include Parliament’s portfolio committees’ reports on Eskom and the Department of Home Affairs.
Lawyers representing various individuals implicated in the inquiry asked for more time to assess documents and to prepare for cross-examination.
The lawyers made representations to the chairperson of the state capture inquiry, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
Advocate Mike Hellens, who represents Ajay Gupta in the allegations presented by Themba Maseko and Vytie Mentor, said his team would be ready to cross-examine by early next month.
Zuma’s lawyer Muzi Sikhakhane asked for more time to study the documents. He said they have received three notices on allegations presented by Mentor, Phumla Williams, and Themba Maseko..
The first session of the inquiry is expected to take two weeks but could run longer depending on any delays.