State Capture hearings resume

Monday, November 12, 2018

The hearings of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of State Capture reconvenes this morning.

Former Public Enterprises Minister Barbara Hogan is expected to take the hot seat and give her testimony, where she is expected to share with the nation what events led up to her replacement.

Hogan was meant to give evidence at the commission last month but that was postponed because she failed to submit her statement on time.

Hogan, who was replaced by Malusi Gigaba in October 2010 by the former President Jacob Zuma, is one of the high profile people to appear before the commission.

Next on the witness list is current Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, who is expected to testify on Thursday.

The legal team is in the process of identifying and/or consulting with another witness who will be called to appear before the commission over the next few weeks, the commission said.

Meanwhile, commission chair Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo last week said an investigation will be conducted to establish who was responsible for leaking witness statements before they testified in the commission.

“Since the commencement of the public hearings of the commission in August 2018, various sections of the media have disseminated and published contents of witnesses’ statements submitted to the commission in connection with the inquiry of the commission before the witnesses gave evidence before the commission and without the written permission of the chairperson,” Zondo said.

He said an investigation is to be conducted to try establish the people responsible for the leaks.

The commission is investigating allegations of State Capture, corruption and fraud in the public sector, including organs of State.  

According to the terms of reference, the commission will investigate whether, to what extent and by whom, attempts were made, through any form of inducement or for any gain whatsoever to influence members of the National Executive, including Deputy Ministers, office bearers and directors of the boards of State-owned enterprises (SOEs). – SAnews.gov.za