And nine other questions we’d love answers to

The sale of major Gupta mining interests this week followed hot on the heels of an announcement that the family had sold its media assets to high-profile supporter Mzwanele Manyi (see Business). Both announcements were thin on details, had many curious elements to them, leaving a set of crucial questions hanging, including:

O Will the Gupta family sell all its South African assets, including its much-vaunted Shiva Uranium project, as it vowed to do during 2016?

O With little to no access to banking services, just how is the Gupta family receiving the money from the “sale” of its coal mines and media outlets?

O Considering the extent of allegations in the #GuptaLeaks of money being spirited offshore, will the proceeds of the asset sales be within reach of South African law enforcement agencies if they ever decide to seize Gupta assets?

O Where did Tegeta’s new owner, Charles King, find R2.97-billion to buy South African coal mines?

O Will the government approve the transfer of Tegeta’s mining licences to an unknown shelf company controlled by an little-known foreign resident who has no track record in either South Africa or in mining?

O Will Eskom approve the transfer of its coal contracts with Tegeta?

O Will Eskom, which insists on 50%-plus-one black ownership in its suppliers, be satisfied with a supplier with initially no black (or South African) owners and has promised only a 30% share to a black partner?

O What are the terms of the “vendor financing” agreements (such as the interest rate) between the Gupta family and Manyi for his R450-million purchase of The New Age and ANN7?

O How much of the money raised in asset sales will ultimately flow to the likes of Gupta partners Duduzane Zuma and the Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association?