Yes, Lynne, let justice be served

Even by the standards of jaw-dropping allegations of corruption and state capture, the proceedings in parliament yesterday were heart-stopping. Former Eskom chairperson Zola Tsotsi told MPs that, during a meeting at the Durban residence of President Jacob Zuma, Zuma and former SAA chairperson Dudu Myeni had discussed the suspensions of Eskom executives. These suspensions had been approved by Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown, he added.

Tsotsi also claimed that Brown had been working with the Gupta family and their associate, Salim Essa, in drawing up list of names for various internal Eskom committees. He said when he went to Brown’s home to finalise the list, he found the Guptas and Essa already there.

Tsotsi also claimed he had been told by Tony Gupta that he was “not cooperating” and that this would upset “uBaba”, the name by which Zuma is known.

Brown denied the claims by Tsotsi – and it is true these still have to be fully tested in a proper judicial process, which Brown herself claims she welcomes.

Tsotsi was vehement in his testimony. He said: “The lapses in good corporate governance that have been occasioned by poor decision-making have opened up the company to exploitation by unscrupulous rent seekers.”

He then homed in, laser-like, on the nub of the matter: “Corruption is the scourge that is denying our people the opportunity of a decent and prosperous livelihood. It is the duty of all of us to rid our society of this evil.”

It certainly appears that Tsotsi’s evidence is yet another “smoking gun” on state capture.

How many more of these do we need to see a massive police and prosecutorial swoop on all those who have been fingered?

Brown has called for justice to be speeded up. We agree wholeheartedly with the minister. Let’s find out who has been lying and who hasn’t …