Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

New report reveals Zuma's 'critical' role in state corruption scams

New report reveals Zuma's 'critical' role in state corruption scams

THE latest damning report into former south African president Jacob Zuma, released last Friday (29), hands him a "critical" role in the plunder and mismanagement of the country’s state-owned enterprises during his nine years in office.

A special inquiry filed a fourth volume of the huge report with president Cyril Ramaphosa, detailing Zuma's key role in major corruption through a merging of state, party and private business.


The report has been put together after four years of investigations led by current chief justice Raymond Zondo, revealing how the wealthy Indian-born Gupta brothers became enmeshed at the highest levels of government and the ruling African National Congress (ANC).

"It is clear that from quite early in his first term, (former) president Zuma would do anything that the Guptas wanted him to do for them," said the report.

The latest report focuses on the "capture" of Eskom, the public power utility in Africa's most industrialised economy. In total, some 14.7 billion rand ($930 million) of Eskom's contracts were improperly awarded to firms linked to the Indian migrant business family.

Zuma's interfered in Eskom executive board affairs, said the report.

The collusion and corruption by the Eskom executives, "with external third parties... was blatant". "Zuma was a critical player in that plan," it added.

"Central to the Guptas' scheme of state capture was... Zuma who the Guptas must have identified at a very early stage as somebody whose character was such that they could use him against the people of South Africa, his own country and his own government to advance their own business interests".

Zuma, 80, became post-apartheid South Africa's fourth president in May 2009, succeeding Kgalema Motlanthe.

But his presidency gained a reputation for graft, with cronies influencing government appointments, contracts and state businesses.

"It is also quite clear that during... Zuma's term of office certain decisions which were supposed to be made within the government were made outside of government and not with his party, the ANC, but with the Guptas," said the report.

Zondo has recommended that law enforcement agencies investigate further for possible "criminal prosecution of the implicated parties... for their part in facilitating the fraud, corruption and financial misconduct against Eskom and the state".

The report also criticises fraud in social housing and asbestos removal contracts worth $10 million when it was run by ANC grandee Ace Magashule, an ally of Zuma, who has been charged over the affair and suspended by the party.

Zuma is on medical parole after being granted a 15-month jail term for contempt following his refusal to testify before this commission probing financial sleaze under his presidency.

His jailing sparked riots last July that left more than 350 people dead.

A fifth and final volume of the report is expected by June 15.

(AFP)

More For You

Sanjay Bhandari's extradition appeal opens in London
Sanjay Bhandari

Sanjay Bhandari's extradition appeal opens in London

SANJAY BHANDARI, a consultant in the defence sector wanted in India on alleged tax evasion and money-laundering charges, began an appeal in the High Court in London against his extradition order.

The 62-year-old businessman had won permission to appeal against a November 2022 Westminster Magistrates’ Court ruling clearing his extradition earlier this year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rupert Murdoch looks on as he walks on the day of the hearing on the contentious matter of succession of Rupert Murdoch's global television and publishing empire, in Reno, Nevada, US, September 23, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)
Rupert Murdoch looks on as he walks on the day of the hearing on the contentious matter of succession of Rupert Murdoch's global television and publishing empire, in Reno, Nevada, US, September 23, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)

Murdoch's bid to secure eldest son's control of media empire fails

RUPERT MURDOCH’s attempt to secure control of his media empire for his eldest son, Lachlan, has reportedly failed, according to a US news report on Monday.

The Murdoch family, which oversees influential outlets like Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and various British and Australian media organisations, has often been compared to the fictional dynasty in the TV series Succession. Like the show, real-life disputes within the Murdoch family have centred on control of the business after Rupert Murdoch’s death.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kamlesh Pattni faces UK sanctions for illicit gold trade
Pattni stands accused of central involvement in the infamous Goldenberg scandal. (Representational image: iStock)

Kamlesh Pattni faces UK sanctions for illicit gold trade

THE UK and US have imposed financial sanctions on Kamlesh Pattni, a British-Kenyan businessman with a controversial financial history. The punitive measures target Pattni and four of his close family members, including his wife and brother-in-law, reported the BBC.

The sanctions, announced by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, will result in the immediate freezing of assets, representing a significant intervention in what officials describe as a complex network of illicit gold trading spanning multiple African nations.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sanjay Malhotra speaks during the 67th Foundation Day of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in New Delhi on December 4, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)
Sanjay Malhotra speaks during the 67th Foundation Day of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in New Delhi on December 4, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)

India appoints Sanjay Malhotra as new central bank governor

INDIA has appointed Sanjay Malhotra, a senior finance ministry bureaucrat, as the new governor of its central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The announcement was made on Monday, a day before the term of outgoing governor Shaktikanta Das was set to expire.

Keep ReadingShow less
The new order includes 10 widebody A350 planes and 90 narrowbody A320 family aircraft.
The new order includes 10 widebody A350 planes and 90 narrowbody A320 family aircraft.

Air India orders 100 more Airbus jets to expand fleet

AIR INDIA has placed an order for 100 more Airbus aircraft to expand its fleet and enhance connectivity, the Tata Group-owned carrier announced on Monday.

The new order includes 10 widebody A350 planes and 90 narrowbody A320 family aircraft. The purchase is in addition to the 470 aircraft Air India ordered last year from Airbus and Boeing, the airline said in a statement.

Keep ReadingShow less