The words of acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, in the latest installment of the state imprisonment inquiry reports – that Bosasa had “no shame” in bribing ANC leaders, from Jacob Zuma down – were sobering. “Corruption was Bosasa’s way of doing business,” he said, pointing the finger at current ANC chairman and minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe. “The evidence that stands is that Mr. Mantashe was seen by Bosasa’s leadership as a ‘brilliant connection,'” he said. “There is a reasonable prospect that further investigations will uncover a prima facie case against Mr Mantashe regarding…
The words of acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, in the latest installment of the state imprisonment inquiry reports – that Bosasa had “no shame” in bribing ANC leaders, from Jacob Zuma down – were sobering.
“Corruption was Bosasa’s way of doing business,” he said, pointing the finger at current ANC chairman and minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe.
“The evidence that stands is that Mr. Mantashe was seen by Bosasa’s leadership as a ‘brilliant connection,'” he said.
“There is a reasonable prospect that further investigations will uncover a prima facie case against Mr Mantashe related to the crime of corruption.”
According to evidence, Mantashe had security systems installed in his homes in Gauteng and in the Eastern Cape by a Bosasa company – and paid not a cent.
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In any other democracy with an ethical government, a minister portrayed in such a light would have resigned. But this is South Africa, the land of some of the thickest political hideouts in the business, so Mantashe isn’t going anywhere.
However, the Zondo report should reflect on Mantashe’s bellicose and fanatical support for projects such as coal-fired power plants, “energy ships” parked off our coast to complement Eskom, and offshore oil and gas exploration by multinational corporations.
Could there be more to this energetic swimming against the tide of public opinion than meets the eye?
We’re not saying there’s anything untoward in his behavior, but given the potential for long-term harm, at the very least, caution should be exercised… Mantashe must resign, even if one believes in the principle of innocent until proven guilty. Leaving him where he is is a further blemish on the ANC government.
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