State capture inquiry begins

[Sideshow Bob]

https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/...stimony-from-eskom-banking-officials-20190312

LIVE: #StateCaptureInquiry hears testimony from Standard Bank's former head of compliance

#StateCaptureInquiry : On risk management - Sinton explains that Standard Bank monitors its clients on a regular basis, 'where we see suspicious movements. we investigate it' @TeamNews24 .

 

[Sideshow Bob]

Not too convincing.

I agree - some would cast him as guilty based on this. Did Tom Moyane testify yet? If not, this looks like something like gupta's wanting to cross-examine without presenting themselves to the commission first?

 

[R13...]

I agree - some would cast him as guilty based on this. Did Tom Moyane testify yet? If not, this looks like something like gupta's wanting to cross-examine without presenting themselves to the commission first?

Of the implicated, only Manyi has testified. The cross examiners don't have to testify they are just required to submit a counter version of events first.

 

[schumi]

Standard Bank details suspicious Gupta transactions

JOHANNESBURG - Standard Bank’s head of compliance Ian Sinton has given insight into the bank’s decision to cut ties with companies linked to the Gupta family, saying there were suspicious transactions that flowed in and out of the firm’s bank accounts.
Sinton took the stand at the state capture commission of inquiry on Tuesday and explained that the bank’s decision to cut ties and the risks it identified.
He told the commission about the first time Standard Bank had suspicions and concerns around Gupta-related entities or persons associated with the family.
“There was the prior landing of an aircraft at Air Force Base Waterkloof a couple of years before. In 2015, Absa bank announced that it had terminated all dealings with the Gupta family and the entities that it controlled. KPMG announced that they are withdrawing all their auditing services from those same entities citing reputational risk.”
Sinton said when the bank decided to investigate entities related to the Gupta family, they found suspiciously large amounts of money coming in and out of bank accounts of companies such as Regiments Capital.

More at: https://ewn.co.za/2019/03/12/standa...pta-transactions-for-cutting-ties-with-family

 

[schumi]

Money laundered through SOEs as Gupta associate made millions, inquiry hears

JOHANNESBURG - The state capture commission has heard how millions of rands flowed from state-owned enterprises (SOE)'s such as Transnet to Gupta-linked businessman Salim Essa, even though he didn’t do any work for the SOEs.
This was revealed by Standard Bank’s head of compliance Ian Sinton who took the stand at the inquiry on Tuesday.
He gave insight to the bank’s decision to cut ties with entities related to the controversial family, saying there were suspicious transactions that flowed in and out of the company’s accounts without proper explanations.
Last year, an AmaBhungane investigation revealed that from 2014, Regiments Capital was earning more than R400 million a year in consultancy fees from Transnet, with Gupta linked businessmen Essa claiming between 30% and 50% of that amount.

More at: https://ewn.co.za/2019/03/13/money-...s-gupta-associate-made-millions-inquiry-hears

 

[schumi]

State capture inquiry hears Moyane application to cross-examine Gordhan

JOHANNESBURG - The state capture commission of inquiry is expected to hear an application by former South African Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner Tom Moyane for leave to cross-examine Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan.
Gordhan, who has had a tense relationship with Moyane, is reportedly fighting Moyane’s bid.
According to Business Day, the minister believes that Moyane is being used by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to advance the party's political campaign against him.
Meanwhile, the inquiry has heard how millions of rand was looted from state-owned enterprises, such as Transnet, to Gupta linked businessman Salim Essa, even though he didn't do any work for the SOEs.

More at: https://ewn.co.za/2019/03/13/state-...r-moyane-application-to-cross-examine-gordhan

 

[schumi]

Gordhan's evidence must be tested to be accepted, Moyane's lawyer argues

JOHANNESBURG - Tom Moyane’s lawyers have argued that for Pravin Gordhan’s evidence to be accepted by the state capture commission, it must be tested.
Advocate Dali Mpofu is addressing the inquiry on Moyane’s application to cross-examine the Public Enterprises Minister.
Mpofu says that when Gordhan appeared before the Zondo Commission last year, he implicated the former Sars commissioner.

More at: https://ewn.co.za/2019/03/13/gordhan-s-evidence-must-be-tested-to-be-accepted-moyane-s-lawyer-argues

 

[Former member 61586]

Why wouldn't you want to be cross-examined?????

 

[Sideshow Bob]

Of the implicated, only Manyi has testified. The cross examiners don't have to testify they are just required to submit a counter version of events first.

Not too convincing.

This is getting interesting. Currently running (Moyane’s cross-examination bid an attempt to review Nugent inquiry.) on first page of mg. https://mg.co.za/

Are Mpofu/Moyane trying to set one commission against other (nugent) by using Gordhan ?

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/art...ing-judge-nugent-refuses-all-moyanes-demands/

Retired Judge Robert Nugent summarised the contents of the document handed in by suspended SARS Commissioner Tom Moyane’s counsel Dali Mpofu, as a “disgrace”.

 

[Gordon_R]

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/art...e-and-venom-of-moyane-vs-gordhan-meets-zondo/

State Capture Commission was urged not to allow itself to be used as another forum to 'console', 'rehabilitate' former SARS Commissioner Tom Moyane in his bid to cross-examine Cabinet Minister, Pravin Gordhan who had implicated him before the Commission.
The controversial former tax boss, Tom Moyane, will have have to wait to hear whether deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo grants him permission to cross examine Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan.

A two-hour long verbal battle unfolded at the State Capture Commission on Wednesday when counsel for the two presented strongly worded argument for why and why not Moyane should be permitted to cross-examine the former finance minister.

Justice Zondo intervened briefly, saying his reading of the rules is that if you’re bringing an application to cross examine a witness, it is because you take the view that you are implicated and then, in making such an application, Moyane would have be precise in terms of what he believes he is implicated on and to present the Commission with his version to those allegations.

In this regard, Zondo said, Moyane would have be precise in terms of what he believes he is implicated in and to present the Commission with his version to those allegations.

Zondo said he could not easily find Moyane’s version in his application.

 

[schumi]

Vytjie Mentor's testimony dealt another blow at state capture inquiry

Former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor's testimony before the state capture inquiry took yet another hit on Wednesday when one of her colleagues, Hlengiwe Mgabadeli, said she could not recall Mentor disclosing to her an offer for the public enterprises ministerial post by one of the Gupta brothers.

Mentor previously told the commission that she may have confided in Mgabadeli, who previously served as an ANC MP, back in 2010 after she was allegedly taken to the Guptas' Saxonwold home.

There, Mentor says, then-president Jacob Zuma was present and Ajay Gupta offered her the job of public enterprises minister in exchange for doing the family's bidding once she took up the role.

More at: https://www.timeslive.co.za/politic...-dealt-another-blow-at-state-capture-inquiry/

 

[schumi]

Don't waste time on Tom Moyane's 'feelings', Pravin Gordhan's lawyers tell inquiry

Lawyers representing public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan at the state capture inquiry have argued that time and money should not be wasted on "consoling" axed SA Revenue Service (Sars) boss Tom Moyane's feelings by allowing him to cross-examine the minister.

In a legal to-and-fro between Moyane and Gordhan at the inquiry on Wednesday, Gordhan's lawyer Michelle le Roux argued that issues canvassed in Moyane's application to cross-examine her client had already been dealt with by retired judge Robert Nugent in his investigation into tax and governance issues at the revenue collector.

Le Roux came up against Moyane's lawyer, Dali Mpofu, when arguing against the application before commission chair, deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo.

"If we understand Moyane's application ... all of that falls into three categories. The first are Sars-related issues. He wants to resuscitate the so-called rogue unit narrative. All of these Sars-related issues are the work of the completed Nugent commission … What this application amounts to is that you are being asked to review Nugent," Le Roux said.

"You are being asked to traverse the identical terrain. All of the Sars-related issues were the work of Nugent's commission and if Moyane is unhappy with that he has recourse.

"In another category of issues that could, at best, be described as personality issues, he (Moyane) talks about racism, acrimony, hate and grudges … Time and money should not be spent on consoling Moyane's feelings."

Arguing for cross-examination to be granted, Mpofu spoke of Gordhan's role in establishing the controversial high-risk investigations unit, dubbed the "rogue unit", which Nugent found to be a legal body.

More at: https://www.timeslive.co.za/politic...elings-pravins-gordhans-lawyers-tell-inquiry/

 

[3WA]

Yeah, looks like Tommy is not properly putting forward his version. He just wants another forum where he can blame his skin colour for all his problems.

 

[TysonRoux]

Looks like CR hasn't been paying attention to this inquiry.

No doubt EFF will offer some competion when it comes to corruption.

Ramaphosa praises ANC’s track record

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the ANC is in a league of its own as there is no political party that can compete with it, either in government or Parliament.

 

[schumi]

State Capture inquiry hears of secrecy around Optimum coal mine sale to the Guptas

Former director general in the department of Mineral Resources, Thibedi Ramontja, on Thursday detailed the secrecy that surrounded the acquisition of Optimum coal mine from Glencore, as he gave evidence before the State Capture Inquiry.

The mine was 2015 bought by a company linked to the Guptas, in a controversial sale that was conducted with the assistance of former minerals resources minister Mosebenzi Zwane.

Ramontja told the commission of inquiry into state capture, led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, that the process of transferring the mine was directly handled from the minister’s office.

More at : https://www.fin24.com/Economy/South...optimum-coal-mine-sale-to-the-guptas-20190314

 

[schumi]

#StateCaptureInquiry: Ramontja says Gupta-linked advisers called shots during Zwane term

Johannesburg - A former department of mineral resources (DMR) director-general has told the Zondo commission that former minister Mosebenzi Zwane started the job with Gupta-linked advisers who were given free rein.

Dr Thibedi Ramontja told the commission that when Zwane was appointed in 2015 he brought in three advisers; Kuben Moodley, Malcolm Mabaso and Zarina Kellerman. Mabaso and Moodley were linked to the Guptas.

More at : https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics...isers-called-shots-during-zwane-term-19879988

 

[schumi]

#StateCaptureInquiry: Des van Rooyen granted leave to cross-examine Lungisa Fuzile

Johannesburg - Former finance minister Des van Rooyen has been granted leave to cross-examine former National Treasury director-general Lungisa Fuzile at Zondo commission.

Commission chair deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo said on Thursday that he had considered the submissions made by van Rooyen's legal team and has decided to grant them permission to test Fuzile's testimony.

More at : https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics...eave-to-cross-examine-lungisa-fuzile-19877113

 

[schumi]

Exchange of letters revealed 'ulterior motives', state capture inquiry hears

A controversial exchange of letters between former Eskom boss Matshela Koko and the department of mineral resources has revealed that there were "ulterior motives" at play when Glencore was negotiating the sale of Optimum Coal to the Gupta family.

Former department of mineral resources director-general Thibedi Ramontja, who was testifying at the state capture inquiry on Thursday, described how he signed off a mysterious draft letter that found its way to his office. It was purportedly in response to another letter allegedly penned by Koko, alerting the department to an about-turn by Glencore to take its mine out of business rescue in 2015.

More at : https://www.timeslive.co.za/politic...ulterior-motives-state-capture-inquiry-hears/

 

[schumi]

Jonas says we over-‘Zumanise’ state capture

The former finance minister says the biggest mistake would be to think that state capture is solely about Jacob Zuma.

Former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas told the commission of inquiry into state capture on Friday that the biggest mistake that could be committed at the moment is to think that the state capture project was solely about former president Jacob Zuma.

More at : https://citizen.co.za/news/south-af...02/jonas-says-we-over-zumanise-state-capture/

 

[schumi]

Shivambu tried to influence Nene on VBS matter, inquiry hears

Johannesburg - Former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene says EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu tried to influence him against placing embattled VBS bank under curatorship.

Nene told the Zondo commission on Thursday that he believes his decision to support the effort to place VBS under curatorship may have influenced the EFF’s hostile attitude towards him days before he was expected to appear at the inquiry last year.

More at : https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics...nce-nene-on-vbs-matter-inquiry-hears-19885764