She could not just stand by

Mothepu was appointed CEO of Trillian Financial Advisory, a subsidiary of Gupta-linked Trillian Capital Partners, in March 2016. Three months later, suffering from depression and insomnia, she resigned. In October 2016, a written statement given to public protector Thuli Madonsela detailing Trillian’s involvement in state capture was leaked to the media. Key to the disclosures were the removals of finance ministers Nhlanhla Nene and Pravin Gordhan from their posts due to the Guptas’ influence. Mothepu’s evidence played a significant part in establishing the Zondo commission.

Despite fearing legal consequences, Mothepu had decided she could not just stand by. Her disclosures resulted in the freezing of the assets of Trillianassociated company Regiments Capital and a high court order for Trillian to pay back almost R600m to Eskom.