Moodley family’s grip on SA politics, business tightens

IN THE intricate weave of South African business and politics, few threads are as tangled as those involving the Moodley family, particularly Roy Moodley and his son, Selvan.

Recent events surrounding the young entrepreneur Ashveer Dwarikapersadh and his struggle against the Moodleys’ influential reach highlight not only the challenges faced by emerging business leaders but also the broader implications of political and business entanglements in the nation.

Dwarikapersadh, former director at Strawberry Worx, found himself embroiled in a legal and personal battle against Selvan, signalling deeper issues within the framework of SA corporate governance and law enforcement. Accusations against the Moodleys include using the Hawks to orchestrate unlawful arrests – allegedly to stifle competition and maintain a corrupt grip over the family’s business and now political party interests.

This misuse of police resources was starkly visible when an outdated arrest warrant for Dwarikapersadh was resurrected, leading to an attempted arrest which was both unlawful and indicative of a misuse of power meant to intimidate and suppress.

Parallel to this, the decade-long court case between the Passenger Rail Agency of SA and Primedia, which concluded unfavourably for Prasa and the Moodleys, casts a long shadow over the Moodley family’s business manoeuvres.

The court annulled a contract awarded to Umjanji Media Consortium due to glaring irregularities, including the pre-emptive cession of contract benefits to Strawberry Worx, owned by Selvan.

This case unfolded under a backdrop of corrupt practices as outlined in both court findings and the explosive Zondo Commission on State Capture, which implicated Roy and other high-profile figures in extensive government corruption schemes.

Roy’s recent foray into politics with the formation of the African Movement Congress (AMC) raises questions about the interplay between his business practices and political ambitions. His involvement in notorious state capture incidents and ongoing allegations of corruption stands in stark contrast to the ethos of transparency and accountability essential to political leadership.

The establishment of AMC amid these controversies does more than just add a political layer to his portfolio; it challenges the essence of ethical governance, suggesting a potential continuation of manipulative practices, but on a potentially larger, more detrimental scale.

For entrepreneurs like Dwarikapersadh, the Moodleys’ influence represents a significant barrier to innovation and fair competition.

The ongoing struggles of young, ambitious individuals underscore the critical need for systemic reform in both the business and political spheres of South Africa.

Dwarikersadh’s plight is not just a David and Goliath tale. It’s about the dangers of allowing the confluence of unchecked political and economic power. For the SA public and aspiring entrepreneurs, these developments serve as a rallying cry for greater accountability, transparency, and a clear demarcation between business interests and