It is now formed a commission to look into the ‘State Capture’ Report, which entails the allegations of fraud, corruption and of crimes done against the Republic of South Africa. This has been done by the President Jacob Zuma, his family and associates combined with business operations run by the investor family of Gupta’s. The stories and allegations has been running in the recent years, and more and more of the allegations has been verified. The close connected businesses and operations of the state, the tenders and state reserves used to boost businesses run by the family. All of this is now further investigated after dozens of trials and other legal remedies.
The Commission, which was signed in and enacted on the 23rd January 2018 is to be headed by Justice Raymond Mnyamezeli Mlungisi Zondo. This Commission is finally coming after the final verdict in December 2017:
“The Commission shall inquire into, make findings, report on and make recommendations concerning the following, guided by the Public Protector’s state of capture report, the Constitution, relevant legislation, policies, and guidelines, as well as the order of the North Gauteng High Court of 14 December 2017 under case number 91139/2016” (STAATSKOERANT, 25 JANUARIE 2018).
I never anticipated that this would happen, because Zuma and his associates have tried to stall the inquires and all sort of serious investigations, they have used all sort tricks to silence and stop finding problematic relations between Oakbay and other businesses owned by Gupta family in South Africa. They have tried to stall the previous Public Protector and the Report itself. Just like the Eskom report from Dentons was archived for years before it was published. Clearly, the transparency and the lack of oversight, by the control of the Zuma administration has been evident in the cases concerning Gupta and their pay-offs, kickbacks and hiring of family members of the President.
This investigation of the Commission will look into the mysterious firing and the hiring of Finance Ministers, the period of three Finance Ministers within short time and if the Gupta associates had anything in connection with this sort of weird acts from the Zuma Presidency. It will also look into the tenders of State Owned Enterprises (SOE) and if they have been given on basis of best offerings and after lawful practice, or if they have been given on basis of envelopes between the Zuma and Gupta’s. It will also look into the possible control of the New Age Newspaper and their advertisements, if this has swayed opinions or if the government sponsored has changed dynamics. If the appointments of certain individuals to National Treasury, the same fellow who was shortly appointed to Finance Minister Des Van Rooyen. All of these acts and if the Gupta’s had a say in the changes in policy and businesses. If the family could connect and pay-off government officials, to change the cabinet and also the tenders benefiting their new industry and operations.
So the basis of the Public Protectors report ‘State of Capture’ will now be further investigated and the prosecution of it can happen at a later stage. The mere heresay, will now be discussed, the people involved will be interviewed and also possibly indicted if the Justice Zondo sees it fit. The evidence will be collected and the cases will be built by the Commission, which will report within 180 days, the truth is that the allegations will now be put in print. The allegations and the corrupt behavior that has been will be investigated further. Not only unleashed in the papers and the receipts as well. The Gupta Family businesses and their holding companies, will be questioned, as well as the communications between them and the Zuma administration. How many of the Zuma family hired by Gupta’s and how many who has traveled on Gupta’s tab. That will be unfolded. Just like it has, but in system and with vigor, hopefully, since this kind of activity has tarnished the Zuma Presidency, together with abysmal village project at Nkandla.
Zuma will be in deep water, he is already trying to walk on it like Jesus. But he isn’t Jesus, he is just a man, he will drown if he tries. There is enough proof of a conspiracy and enough smaller evidence of fraud and corruption between the state and the Gupta’s. It’s not just Mmusi Maimane and Julius Malema, who is crazy crying out loud in public, its real.
The Commission will prove it, if they start digging and use the allegations and build on the proofs from the Public Protector. The signs of the conspiracy and the possibly pay-off to the Zuma family is there. The use of the state and misuse of it for personal gain, is all there. Peace.