‘I was offered post’
Vytjie Mentor testifies at state capture inquiry
MARBLE stairs, bathrooms with a gold finish, exquisite mirrors and a chef greeted former ANC parliamentarian Vytjie Mentor after she was taken inside the Gupta compound in Saxonwold eight years ago, where she was offered a promotion to become Public Enterprises minister.
Mentor told the commission of inquiry into state capture that she was taken to the Saxonwold mansion from the Gupta family’s Sahara Computers company. She had landed at OR Tambo International Airport earlier that Monday in 2010 a few weeks after she returned from China.
Former president Jacob Zuma’s aide Lakela Kaunda had called her the previous day and told her that the meeting she had long awaited with Zuma would happen the following day. Mentor said Lakela told her that a man was going to call her about arrangements for the meeting.
“Lakela Kaunda gave me Atul’s (Gupta) number, who was the man I would be dealing with regarding meeting logistics. At that time I was on crutches and was assured that everything would be taken care of for my travel, and that I need not worry as Atul would attend to my concerns,” she told the commission.
She was then driven to Sahara Computers’ building from the airport where she met Ajay Gupta. Mentor said she was told the meeting with Zuma would take place at another venue, but did not know it was at the Gupta compound.
“When I arrived at the gates, we found two security guards. The vehicle drove in and was led to the steps leading into the house. There were several other houses inside the yard, but the one I was taken into was the biggest of them… like a mansion. Inside there was a lot of artwork, two couches and a coffee table, and I sat on one. There was this huge window, and I remembered that because I liked it and saw that it brought in a lot of sunshine,” she told the commission.
“The house looked like it was a work in progress because for a house that big size, it was sparsely furnished, with (the) reception area having two couches and a table. I tried to figure out whether the artwork was wallpaper or proper work by an artist.”
Rajesh Gupta disappeared into the house on arrival. Atul joined her and told her that Ajay, whom she had a chat with about her family earlier at Sahara, was still at Sahara and would join them soon.
Ajay then arrived and said: “We meet again.’’ She said she wondered when she would meet Zuma as she did not want to miss her flight. Her testimony continues.