Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan is delivering his much-awaited testimony at the judicial commission of inquiry into state capture in Johannesburg.
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Gordhan says he is often asked the same question, and that is why are there no senior political figures that have been prosecuted yet?
Gordhan reads from the ANC's resolution in relation to corruption.
Pretorius asks Gordhan for his own view. Gordhan says the test is when one sees malfeasance, "What do you do?"
Gordhan mentions how 'state capture' placed incompetent, 'compromised' individuals in strategic positions to enable the looting.
Gordhan on how he heard he had been removed as finance minister in 2017, says he found out while watching TV and the announcement was made.
Gordhan details how he was offered the position of finance minister in 2009.
Gordhan still making opening remarks before getting to the matter of the evidence in his statement. Now going through some of his personal history in politics, and the struggle for a democratic South Africa.
Gordhan brings up the issue of his draft statement being leaked and published in the media. Gordhan suggests that it was only distributed to a limited range of people, and the commission should look into how this leak occurred.
Zondo agrees and assures Gordhan that the investigation is ongoing.
Gordhan was dramatically fired as finance minister by Zuma on March 31, 2017, after he was ordered to return from an international investment roadshow in London, and was replaced by Malusi Gigaba.
Zuma never gave reasons for getting rid of Gordhan, but told the ANC’s leadership that their relationship had broken down and that he was plotting with wealthy businessmen in the west to topple the South African government.
The ANC’s leadership dismissed this, but was helpless to stop Zuma.
- Pieter du Toit
Gordhan and National Treasury were the targets of a coordinated disinformation campaign in 2016 and 2017, motivated by state capture elements and groups like the BLF and Bell Pottinger.
Both the minister and Treasury received no cover from Zuma or his colleagues and Gordhan had to resort to asking the public to defend Treasury.
Gordhan was charged by the NPA who had to withdraw the allegations later.
- Pieter du Toit
Gordhan will testify about attempts by former president Jacob Zuma to force through the nuclear deal with Russia, how he intervened on his friend Dudu Myeni’s behalf to help SAA strike an expensive deal with Airbus, and about his meetings with the Guptas.
He will also reveal details about his contact with the Gupta family, with the one face-to-face meeting having been arranged by Zuma.
Gordhan has been slammed by the EFF for another meeting which he failed to disclose to Parliament. This meeting was between Gordhan and an Indian businessman who wanted to invest in MTN. The meeting was brokered by Tony Gupta and attended by Ajay Gupta.
- Pieter du Toit
Gordhan now being sworn in, prior to his testimony.
Zondo now making an announcement on the matter of media reports over the weekend about Advocate Paul Pretorius, which suggested that Pretorius should recuse himself from the commission.
Pretorius is allegedly rumoured to be close with Gordhan, as well as Adrian Lackay.
Advocate Phillip Mahlatse for Shaun Abrahams has also placed himself on record as wanting to participate and also to reserve the right at a later stage to launch an application to cross-examine or put forth his client's own version.
Advocate Dali Mpofu now placing himself on record as representing Tom Moyane, as an implicated party.
Head of the legal team, Advocate Paul Pretorius, will be leading evidence with Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan during his testimony.
With the arrival of Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, proceedings are now under way.
Gordhan has arrived, ahead of his testimony.
BLF members protesting outside the venue.
Some EFF members have also reportedly arrived to protest outside.
BLF members protesting outside the venue where the state capture commission of inquiry is sitting.
Pravin Gordhan to appear before state capture inquiry
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan is expected to deliver his much-awaited testimony on Monday at the state capture inquiry in Johannesburg.
Gordhan was said to be angry after his sworn statement, prepared for the judicial inquiry into state capture headed by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, was leaked to the media before his appearance.
After Gordhan's statement was leaked, the EFF laid a charge against him with the Public Protector, as he had previously stated in an answer to a parliamentary question that he had not met the Guptas.
EFF leader Julius Malema said in a press conference that there was a plot against them, led by Gordhan and Treasury officials.
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D-Day for Gordhan: He played 'a pivotal role' to stop Zuptas
Former finance minister Pravin Gordhan played a crucial role in protecting National Treasury and the fiscus, former colleagues say amidst an EFF campaign to discredit him.
Both Lungisa Fuzile, former director general at Treasury, and Ismail Momoniat, a deputy director general, say Gordhan defended Treasury from former president Jacob Zuma and other factions trying to gain undue influence over the national finances. Gordhan, minister of public enterprises, will on Monday take the witness stand at the judicial commission of inquiry into state capture.
Gordhan has come under increasing pressure recently as he prepares to give his version of events around capture to Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. He was summoned to appear in front of the Public Protector last week to answer questions about a pension payout by SARS to its former deputy commissioner, while the EFF has also launched a campaign against him.
