Call for urgent probe into allegations related to e-mail leaks
CABINET ministers implicated in the “leaked” e-mails that detail improper actions to advance the business interests of the Gupta family will be subjected to scrutiny by Parliament’s committees.
This happens as responses by some ministers to the e-mails that expose “state capture” contradict what is contained in the correspondences involving the members of the Gupta family, government officials and their business associates.
Among the members of the executive featured in the e-mails are Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba; Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des van Rooyen; Public Service and Administration Minister Faith Muthambi; Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo; and Minister of Mineral Resources Mosebenzi Zwane.
Yesterday, Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said portfolio committees had been directed to “urgently” probe the allegations and report back to the National Assembly.
Mothapo said House chairperson of committees Cedric Frolick had last week written to the chairpersons of portfolio committees on home affairs, mineral resources, public enterprises and transport.
Frolick had advised the chairpersons to ensure immediate engagement with the concerned ministers.
“While no specific deadline has been set for the submission of the outcome of these investigations, the committees have been urged to begin with the work and report their recommendations to the House urgently,” Mothapo said.
The e-mails are already under investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation and Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
The latest move by Parliament comes almost two weeks after the cabinet noted the media reports on the “leaked e-mails” implicating government officials and other persons in criminal wrongdoing.
The Cabinet had urged those with information of malpractice by government officials or ministers to inform law enforcement agencies. It also called on those affected by the e-mails to co-operate with authorities.
Meanwhile, Zwane has again denied that the Guptas had flown him to Switzerland a year ago.
“The trip was organised and paid for by the Department of Mineral Resources,” he said in response to a question in Parliament from Cope’s Mosiuoa Lekota.
In another question from Cope’s Willie Madisha, he gave the same response.
Madisha wanted Zwane to clarify his parliamentary replies last year and “in view of the leaked e-mails that have been published in the media recently, which indicate he had travelled to Switzerland with a number of members of a certain family.”
He reiterated his previous parliamentary replies.
“The minister and officials from the department made an official trip as part of his mandate and in keeping with the undertakings made to avoid job losses,” he said.