Silence on graft

LAST week saw further developments in what has become a disturbing chain of events in the tangled web of government, state-owned enterprises and the public service.

Sassa’s chief executive Thokozani Magwaza resigned and the Water and Sanitation Department’s director-general was given notice of the intention to suspend him. Allegations have emerged that disputes with the two officials and their ministers lie at the root of these actions.

Then the suspended acting chief executive of the SABC James Aguma resigned – with the public broadcaster dropping all charges against him.

Aguma was facing 10 charges, namely breaching his contract, dishonesty and frustrating the disciplinary hearings of axed SABC chief operating officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng.

The on-off presentation of Eskom’s annual financial results brought us closer to the truth around allegations of state capture of the utility with admissions that Eskom paid out huge amounts to McKinsey and Gupta-owned Trillian.

The silence on any criminal or civil action to recoup the many millions of rand which it is clear have been misappropriated, is deafening.