Ajay Gupta and Oakbay Investments Delighted with Affidavit from Pravin Gordhan (18.10.2016)

Two and Half Gupta

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 18, 2016 – Gupta Family lawyer, Van Der Merwe Associates, releases a statement on behalf of Mr. Ajay Gupta and Oakbay Investments (www.OakbayInvestments.co.za) in response to the affidavit from Pravin Gordhan.

Highlights include:

  • The Gupta Family (as majority shareholders) and Oakbay Investments are delighted to have been cited as respondents to the application from the Finance Minister. At last, the Gupta Family and Oakbay can begin to formally clear their names. They thank him for this opportunity
  • The Finance Minister’s application is being considered by lawyers for the Gupta Family and Oakbay and will be dealt with in full – each and every entry
    • Six transactions (totalling R4,096 billion) refer to the Optimum mine before it was under Oakbay’s control and so were not transacted by Oakbay or the Family
    • 24 transactions (totalling R325 million) are perfectly legitimate, are in the normal course of business and are not suspicious in any way
    • Five transactions (totalling R1,698 billion) relate to Oakbay Resources and Energy, the listed entity. These are perfectly legitimate and all information is being supplied to its auditor, SizweNtsalubaGobodo, for review
    • Another 20 vaguely refer to ‘multiple transactions’ that makes any further analysis impossible without further detail from the Finance Minister
    • The remaining 17 transactions (totalling R719 million) were also all for legitimate purposes and are absolutely not suspicious. We will disclose these transactions in full, once the full analysis has been completed
    • All of the 72 transactions were approved and cleared by the respective banks processing the transactions
    • The fact that all transactions were approved is acknowledged in the attachment to Minister Gordhan’s application‎, in the form of a signed letter from the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank
    • None of the transactions related to Oakbay or the Family, which are over a five year period,  were flagged to the FIC as suspicious. To put this in context, the FIC’s own 2015-16 Annual Report showed that 98,054 transactions in that year alone were flagged as suspicious by the banks (i.e. STRs)
    • One of the largest transactions flagged in Minister Gordhan’s application was the transfer of the Optimum Rehabilitation Trust’s Account (over R1.3 billion) from Standard Bank to the Bank of Baroda. Yesterday, we proved this was bona fide and approved by all relevant authorities (pdf attached). The transfer occurred because all of Oakbay’s accounts were being closed
    • Whilst we thoroughly welcome this application, it is undiluted nonsense and appears to be little more than the usual political games

    To reiterate, we are delighted to have received this application. The truth always comes out in the end and we look forward to clearing our name in court.

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South Africa’s Zuma asks court to stop release of watchdog’s graft probe results (Youtube-Clip)

“South African President Jacob Zuma has asked the courts to prevent the release of the findings of a probe into alleged political interference. Public Protector Thuli Madonsela is expected to announce her preliminary findings from an investigation into the Guptas, a controversial family with close ties to Zuma. They’re accused of using their relationship with the president to influence Cabinet appointments. Madonsela’s report can’t be released until the court has ruled on Zuma’s request. Many locals have expressed their disappointment with the president’s actions, saying the interdict is suspicious” (CCTV Africa, 2016)

South Africa: Economic Freedom Fighters Statement on Recent Political Developments (13.10.2016)

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T.I. – Why I Vote (Youtube-Clip)

“Our “Why I Vote” campaign gives artists a chance to share personal opinions on the key issues shaping the 2016 Presidential Election. Along the way, they encourage young people, a traditionally under-represented demographic at the polls, to participate in the political process that impacts us all. Each episode focuses on a particular subject, including immigration, LGBTQ rights, mass incarceration, and education opportunities. We’re hoping to galvanize first-time voters interested in shaping their own future. The latest episode features T.I. telling his own story of growing up in Atlanta at the beginning of the government’s “War on Drugs.” With an uncle going to prison, the young MC had a first-hand look at the way these policies impacted families and communities. The rise of mass incarceration and the privatization of prisons are paramount issues that drive T.I. to vote. He made an impassioned call to use our power as citizens and vote on November 8. From now through Election Day we will air new episodes of “Why I Vote” with American Authors, Kesha and several other artists we’ll announce soon. Watch, share and make sure your voice is heard by voting in the 2016 election. Music video by T.I. performing Why I Vote. 2016” (Vevo, 2016)

Opinion: The reason for the silence of the LoP Kiiza; As the MPs want to secure a lavish lifestyle until death

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It’s one of those days I say kudos to the men of Forum for Democratic Change – Youth (FDC-Y) wanted the sacking of Hon. Winnie Kiiza and her position as the Leader of Opposition (LoP). I am amused and amazed that it happens over money and the lavish lifestyle. The escalating funds and extended add-ons of expensive SUVs and Caskets when their imminent death conspire and their lives expires.

Well, that is a good cause, but the FDC Youth should have reacted to the day she went into office of Leaders of Opposition and joined the company of under the Movement and their Executive. That should been a battle-cry, but there we’re none just a silent approach where the trailing election and rigging where validated by the appointment of the Cabinet and the Shadow one.

So that today the FDC-Y decided to counter and ask for axing her today is a bit late. Hon. Winnie Kiiza and the FDC National Executive Committee (FDC-NEC) wouldn’t sack or change the Shadow Cabinet just months after arrival unless there an internal-coup in the party as there in the United Kingdom in the Labour Party where you either against Jeremy Corbyn or Owen Smith. The FDC is not Labour, but there have to be similar acts towards the MPs and he hardliners in the party to dissolve the Shadow Cabinet of today.

So the reason for her silence she is already an accomplice with the fellow MPs who wish the lavish lifestyle and become honourable overnight. The reality of the matter as long as the LoP and Shadow Cabinet is there, the 10th Parliament is in effect and the day-to-day business of the National Assembly will go. So the idea of the LoP to be sacked and change will matter is pointless.

Kiiza Article Daily Monitor

The FDC Youth shouldn’t get the LoP sacked; they should get the whole Shadow Cabinet discontinued and stop validation of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) that is what the FDC-Y should propose in this matter. The monies and advantages of the MPs will raise so sky high the Jupiter. The riches and wealth of the MPs will continue to surge as the level of impunity and little care for service deliver is there in the shallow halls of Parliament.

I admire the FDC Youth stance, as I have the same for the reckless spending of taxpayer’s monies on the already insulting wealthy salaries and other beneficiary programs for the MPs. So the poverty of the government institutions as schools and hospitals should been the main target of the funds and not SUVs for the newly elected men and woman. Alas, that is the case and the Youth are right with their anger.

The Movement are only interested in their selfish interests of their sole elite and their demands. Sometimes they will give monies to the needed and projects of government, but that will be merely a charade of dishonest approach as the Executive gives out pocket-change while he eats fortunes for supper. This is what the FDC should work against and not accept in Parliament. The MPs are just showing their disregard of the people and their work. This indecency of the representatives deserves to be demonstrated against and sought to stop. But to think that the utter words of somebody who validated the rigged election of 2016; than think again!

The FDC Youth shouldn’t sack Hon. Kiiza for her silence on the indecent behaviour of the representatives. The Youths should have reacted to the FDC NEC getting her the gig in the National Assembly in the first place. Her silence is because she cannot go too far in her criticism because she has already altered her motives and ambition to suit the captors of power.

She will be as strong and weak towards the Movement as the Hon. Beti Kamya of UFA. The spine of character has already shown as the where no problems for sending over a dozen of MPs to the Seminar in the United States or the shutdown of Parliament for a week for all the ones travelling so far. There we’re no quarrel in the matter. This proves that Hon. Kiiza is already part of the problem and the get-rich-quick click of Parliament. There isn’t any evidence of otherwise as the suggestions of a possible strong opposition there are dwindling. There are certain men and woman there still, but there far apart as Hon. Frank Mwijukye is one of them. Still, he is a part of losing end and Hon. Kiiza helps him to lose!

Hon. Francis Mwijukye said: "Today I visited Karungu government secondary in Karungu subcounty- Buhweju district where I found students studying under very disturbing circumstances" (Mwijukye, 25.06.2016)
Hon. Francis Mwijukye said: “Today I visited Karungu government secondary in Karungu subcounty- Buhweju district where I found students studying under very disturbing circumstances” (Mwijukye, 25.06.2016)

Kudos to the FDC-Y for their action and approach, but the gates is closed unless they want to marginalize the Parliament and not just take a bold stance against their own. That I and many doesn’t’ validate the LoP or her Cabinet is becomes of the dissolution decision to support the Movement by becoming it! So the losing end where already taken when the token and signs where made to the Speaker Kadaga and Deputy Speaker Oulanyah earlier this year.

Now, the time has come for the FDC-Y to either to take the stance of NRM Poor Youth. Try to disembark from the NRM during the Campaign period to the Go-Forward. If not, they can be a nuisance to their mother party… that will not generate the needed extra youthful idealistic force that either can excel a party or can muster the needed grass-root progress that it needs. The FDC-Y needs to show with their ideas and actions that they want to counter the FDC NEC now and their acts of validating the Movement. Not only by axing fellow Hon. Kiiza, but get them to axe the Shadow cabinet! If they do so and asks for that, than they will create empty space in parliament and also question the election that were. Defy and prove the Campaign of Defiance of Dr. Kizza Besigye worthy! Peace.

Press Statement: “The Proposed Be The Change is extremely disappointed and appalled at the Fiji police decision to detain members of the opposition parties” (10.09.2016)

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The Proposed Be The Change is extremely disappointed and appalled at the Fiji police decision to detain members of the opposition parties and a civil society representative for merely excising their rights to freedom of expression.

Biman Prasad, Sitiveni Rabuka, Tupeni Baba, Attar Singh, and Jone Dakuvula’s arrest is unwarranted and unconstitutional, and oozes of bullying tactics employed to shut down opposing voices.

The five have been arrested for allegedly attending a Constitution Forum organized by Pacific Dialogue Forum this week and not having the permit to do so. This comes after police shut down a meeting organized by Dialogue Fiji, ironically on constitution day that guarantees freedom of expression.

In July 2014, the attorney general himself had declared that, public permits were no longer required for meetings as long as they were not on a public road, in public parks, playgrounds, or arenas.

None of these meeting were held in a public arena, yet authorities have taken drastic steps to shut it down, to an extent that police have searched homes and offices of the detainees, confiscating Mr Prasad’s laptop.

This is igniting fear and suppression in the public at large, impinges on the right to freedom of expression and association and goes against the values of genuine democracy.

We condemn this very undemocratic and controlling move by the police and appeal to the authorities to release the five people with dignity and respect.

The Proposed Be The Change stands in solidarity with the detained members.
—- ENDS

Letters from Somalian Government concerning UNSOM Report “REPORT ON The Right to Freedom of Expression” August 2016

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Puntland Letter Aug 2016 P1Puntland Letter Aug 2016 P2Puntland Letter Aug 2016 P3Puntland Letter Aug 2016 P4

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Republic of Somaliland Aug 2016

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My letter to the Minister for Ethics and Integrity Hon. Rev. Simon Lokodo on his current affairs

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Oslo, 17th August 2016

Dear Honourable Simon Lokodo, the right reverend father and now Minister for Ethics and Integrity. I write because of your intent of making the country with cleanliness and righteous in religious, sexually and all of personal matters. I am sure the ones eating snot in Parliament will soon get fine or have to wash themselves in holy-water after preliminary hearings at the humble halls you are now one part of.

Your actions and your decrees have been in the public spotlight ever since Dr. Stella Nyanzi undressed herself as an action of getting her stuff and position back after a political firing of her; because of faith in the Forum for Democratic Change and their Presidential Candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye. The advisory to your current boss, whom you are underling to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni; I think you already knew that, but some who read might not know that.

Simon, Simon, Simon; hear ye, hear ye! Eh! The ways of getting machinery to stop nudeness and sexual explicit content or might revealing behaviour on Television and Online sounds more like KGB, MI6 or CIA; even the FinFisher Software of the Special Investigation Unit in Kireka should be sufficient if somebody watch or subscribe to naughtiness somewhere on the dark-side of the internet. The spider-webs and the extent of content as it is legal anywhere else, not anywhere, but there aren’t State Organizations under Ethics Boards that follows all citizens to make sure of their behaviour. That the ‘Ministerium für Staatssicherheit’ or hte Ministry for State Security (MfS) of the Soviet Republic of East German followed all their citizens and had spies anywhere to make sure of no dissidents or actions against the communist state. Is that what you are seeking Reverend Lodoko?

Simon, Simon, Simon; hear ye, hear ye! You are going after the LGBTQ community in Uganda sending the police after them after a planned Pride Event at a Club in Kampala during the early of August 2016. Not that I am giant fan of their ways, the LGBTQ, I still am democratic in the sense they can do what they please as long as it doesn’t hurt anybody or they go do their thing everywhere. Just like I prefer not going downtown and seeing teenagers screwing each at the mall or like the knowledge of students screwing their sugar-daddies at the offices; supposed to write on the offices and do business instead laying pipe. That should be more worrying that students do that to get the funds for the student-fees, than the LGBTQ having a Pride event at a Club. But that is just me, check the Campus Bee page Mr. Minister and you might not need the expensive machine to see the madness. You should also talk with Honourable Janet Museveni to fix the funding of these Student-fees and such so the scholarship makes these female student doesn’t need to hook to read books. That should worry the Ministry of Ethics more than explicit content online or the Gay’s doing their thing.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Honourable Minister Reverend Simon Lokodo, you are not making this easy as you attack and undermine anybody who is not you. You might think that is wise, but in the end nobody can do anything in the Republic without begging for mercy by one of the Civil Servants in their area. Than everything can become questionable and will by the time the government look into it; have an ability to create malicious and destructive for the moral manner of society. So NTV Uganda, UBC and kind of radio station will be seen to broadcasting or distributing ethical and moral content that can be set under question. Therefore any kind of writing with certain content will also be disarmed and banned as the sensitization of society happens, but also moral tyranny where the certain elite and such paternalistically describes to their citizens as children with no moral backbone. Is that you Hon. Lokodo?

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Are you the paternalistically on society and wants to shield from everything, than soon the citizens cannot do anything. The censorship of media houses and citizens will be staggering as the state has to have more than a monitoring machine as the spies and the whistle-blowers will be hurried to give intelligence to the Commissions who follow these acts of fellow citizens. Do you want a snitching society like the East Germany of 1960s? Is that your final goal Hon. Lodoko as the guilty in your mind are anybody with a working libido and anybody who shows or explicitly explain sexuality in text. Isn’t that true Mr. Simon?

Should you be nicknamed Honourable Reverend Simon “Uwe” Lokodo? Or am I wrong.

Best regards from the Writer of this humble blog.

Besigye visits Kagadi on a pilgrimage (Youtube-Clip)

Statement of the African National Congress following the Meeting of the National Executive Committee held on the 11th to the 14th August 2016 (14.08.2016)

ANC Friday

Johannesburg, 14 August 2016 

The National Execitive Committee of the African National Congress met from the 11th to the 14th August 2016 at the St. George’s Hotel, Irene, Tshwane. The National Executive Committee completed a vigorous, honest, open and thorough assessment of the local government election outcomes.

In particular the NEC analysed the ANC overall performance and appreciated the winning of wards in many municipalities. We were nevertheless disappointed at the loss of a number of key municipalities and failing to retain our majority in the metropolitan municipalities of Tshwane, Johannesburg, Nelson Mandela Bay, Ekurhuleni and other municipalities.

The NEC reaffirmed the commitment of the ANC as the liberation movement and governing party  since 1994, to continue the agenda of transforming South Africa from an oppressive and exploitative society to a democratic South Africa that is free, united, non- racial, non-sexist and prosperous. It was noted that our poor performance in the 2016 local government elections is a serious setback to the cause of social transformation.

The NEC unanimously agreed to take collective responsibility for the poor performance of the ANC during the elections and resolved to take immediate and bold actions to address the weaknesses and shortcomings that led to the decline of our electoral support.

We are convinced that the African National Congress remains the hope of the vast majority of South Africans, black and white, and particularly those who are still trapped in poverty and other social ills inherited from apartheid colonialism.

The  NEC viewed the outcome of the elections as a clarion call of the people to the liberation movement to urgently take steps to speed up the programmes of change, and rectify the many subjective weaknesses affecting its capacity to play its historic role.

This requires serious, objective and robust introspection within the movement itself, starting with the leadership at all levels.

The NEC believes that arresting the electoral decline would require the ANC to immediately and courageously embark on bold strategies to re-energise our structures and supporters. This will require  us to deal with perceptions of  the ANC being  arrogant, self serving, soft on corruption and increasily distant from its social base

As a result the National Executive Committee resolved to take measures to address the challenges experienced during the campaign some of which are reposnsible for our poor performance. The people have spoken and we acknowledge and accept the message.

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In this regard the following are measures the ANC will be implemented with immediate effect;

1)    The NEC  will visit all provinces to meet with ANC and Alliance structures; different sectors  and communities to deal with the concerns being raised by the people;

2)    The NEC will investigate and act on all instances where there was violation and even manipulation of the Candidate Selection Process (including where the choice of communities was undermined). We will take action against all who were involved regardless of positions they hold in the organisation.

3)    The NEC resolved to task the National Officials and the National Working Committee to take urgent measures to rid the movement of factionalism across the board – including in the NEC.

4)    The NEC mandates the National officials to lead the process of establishing cooperation with other parties that share and pursue a progressive transformation agenda to better the lives of our people.

5)    The organisation will immediately embark on training of our councillors to ensure that they lead our municipalities in the interests of the people, provide services to the people and maintain high levels of revolutionary discipline and integrity;

6)    The NEC resolved to put in place mechanisms that would monitor service delivery across all spheres and ensure accountability of all deployees for actions or inactions in the execution of assigned responsibilities.

7)    Although these were local government elections, some national issues dominated public discourse.  NEC resolved to mandate government to take urgent steps to bring stability and policy certainty in State Owned Companies such as SAA, SABC and ESKOM. Relevant government deployees are expected to report on these matters at the next NEC meeting.

8)    While noting the efforts to rid our society, government and the private sector of corruption and its associated consequences, the NEC calls for an approach that will effectively deal with this cancer, without fear or favour;

9)     Government will accelerate the implementation of the NDP and other agreed programmes to stimulate economic growth to create jobs, particularly for young people. This must include implementation of youth empowerment programmes outlined in various government departments;

10) The NEC calls for an accelerated interaction between government, the private sector, organised labour and other sectors of society to develop a partnership programme for youth empowerment and increasing productive investment in key sectors of the economy.

11)  Government has been mandated to speedily conclude the NEDLAC process on the National Minimum Wage.

12) The NEC resolved that the principle of no-fee increase in universities should remain in place to give chance to a consultative engagement with all stakeholders in order to arrive at an economically viable and affordable cost of higher education;

13) The NEC resolved to increase organisational capacity in its structures, particularly Organising, Political Education, Communications, Elections, Research as well as Monitoring and Evaluation. Part of these measures must ensure that the ANC fast tracks the implementation of resolutions and decisions taken at different platforms of the ANC.

14)  The NEC resolved that to effectively deal with the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality, government in the coming Cabinet Lekgotla must reprioritise the budget to give effect to the imperatives of the NDP and the 9 Point Plan in particular as an instrument of implementation.  

ANC Cartoon

The NEC regards its  four-day meeting as the start, rather than the end, of a continuing process of introspection with the aim of re-engineering  the ANC. A number of issues were raised and deliberated upon, some organisational and others policy oriented, all of these will be consolidated and processed within the structures of the organisation

Our society is in a continuous process of change and continuity, and our movement is part of that. We call on all sectors of society (including urban and rural workers, youth, women, professionals, intellectuals, religious community and business community) to continue participating in the national project to build a united, non racial, non sexist, democratic and prosperous society.

As we rise from the NEC and having reflected deeply on the outcome of local government elections. We are emboldened  by and thank the  millions of South Africans who continue to have confidence in the ANC. This we do not take for granted.

The ANC also expresses its deep appreciation to all our volunteers, supporters and our Alliance Partners who worked diligently and tirelessly during the election campaign. A special word of appreciation to the Independent Electoral Commission for once again delivering free, fair and credible elections.

While the Elections were relatively peaceful, the ANC condemns in the harshest possible terms incidences of violence leading to the elections, which led to a number of killings. The NEC sends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and calls on the law enforcement agencies to act speedily to bring the perpetrators to book.

The NEC has listened to the voice of the people as reflected in the election results – and, with humility we have heard them and accept their judgment.

We remain confident that this 104 year old organisation, working with the people, has the political will and capacity to overcome its challenges and re-energise our people for the tasks that lie ahead. 

We reaffirm our deep commitment as the ANC to leave no stone unturned to make sure that as we advance towards next national and provincial elections and beyond, we will continue to work together with our people to address all the socio-economic challenges that still bedevil our land.

Issued by

Gwede Mantashe

Secretary General

African National Congress

 

Enquiries

Zizi Kodwa 082 330 4910