Parliament’s top sleuth ‘to join the SABC’
● The man who helped parliament uncover the rot at the SABC and Eskom has quit the national legislature and is said to be headed to the public broadcaster.
Ntuthuzelo Vanara, according to wellplaced sources, is to become head of legal affairs at the SABC.
He declined to comment on that, but confirmed that he would leave parliament. SABC spokesperson Neo Momodu said the broadcaster was filling positions and would announce these when it was done.
Vanara, an advocate, worked in parliament for 11 years.
He was the senior manager of legal services and constitutional affairs and was evidence leader in parliament’s inquiry into the SABC in 2016.
Last year he was evidence leader in an inquiry into alleged corruption at Eskom.
During the Eskom investigation, he faced threats to his life and former state security minister Bongani Bongo allegedly offered him a blank cheque if he would quash the inquiry. Bongo denied this.
Bongo is scheduled to appear before parliament’s ethics committee in the next two weeks to face bribery allegations.
On Friday, Vanara said he did not consider it appropriate to say where he would be going after leaving parliament.
“I think I should leave it to my new employer to announce that,” he said.
Vanara said he was leaving the institution, where he served in different positions, a grateful man.
“I have always been very happy in parliament and came through the ranks, so parliament has been extremely good and wonderful for me.
“It’s just that I felt that I have contributed what I could for parliament and that I needed a new challenge. My new employment offers that new challenge,” he said.
Vanara is also the acting registrar of members’ interests in parliament. For the past five years he also served as the principal executive officer of the pension fund for MPs and MPLs.
Parliament’s spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, said: “Advocate Vanara served parliament with diligence and dedication, and we wish him well in his future endeavours.”