Vytjie takes commission into Gupta mansion

MARBLE stairs, bathrooms with a gold finish, exquisite mirrors and a chef greeted former African National Congress (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 yesterday, 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.

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Former president Jacob Zuma’s aide Lakela Kaunda had called her the previous day and told her that the meeting she had long awaited for 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 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 off 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. 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.

The hearings continue today.