Zuma ‘lied to effect capture’

Wrapping up his testimony to the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan yesterday summed up the impact on the country, took a swipe at the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and directly accused Jacob Zuma of lying to effect state capture.

Gordhan said Zuma lied to his Cabinet and unleashed the worst form of corruption to benefit the controversial Gupta family, their associates and certain families.

“The former president [Zuma] did lie ... asking us to intervene in the relationship between the Guptas as clients and the banks, pushing the nuclear deal, and if one looks at the state capture hypothesis, by allowing for particular types of boards in state-owned enterprises to be established.

“He also put in place particular ministers and others who might be cooperative in this venture.

“If you look at all this .... it shows there was a scheme at play designed by somebody. I hope that by the time you complete your work, you will tell us who that somebody is.”

Gordhan also disputed EFF claims that his daughter, Anisha, was involved in malfeasance, had a bank account in Canada, owned several companies and was awarded government tenders of more than R80 million.

He described as “unfounded” allegations that Anisha used her relationship with him for financial benefit and had a bank account in Canada. “What is unacceptable are attacks on families – a dangerous fightback phenomenon,” he added.

“Anisha joined Investec Bank Limited’s private equity division in 2007, and resigned in late 2017.

“The private equity division at Investec invested in privately held companies on behalf of the bank. Investec Bank was the owner of these private businesses’ shares, not my daughter. She was part of a team of private equity professionals appointed as nonexecutive directors to the boards of these companies as representatives of Investec.

“Anisha did not benefit financially as she did not own any shares in these businesses directly and did not get director fees.”

He added: “South Africa and the world is experiencing raging populism that manipulates public opinion, puts out fake news to promote the populists into kingmakers. Part of their fightback campaign is taking every possible measure to mask malfeasance.” –

What’s unacceptable are attacks on families – a dangerous fightback phenomenon. Pravin Gordhan Public enterprises minister