The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK) shocked many when they named the most tainted individuals as their members who will be sworn in in Parliament to represent the party. The DA has called the MK Party's new MP appointments an insult to the country.
IMPLICATED IN STATE CAPTURE REPORT
Corruption-accused former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe, former Transnet CEO Siyabonga Gama, former GCIS CEO and spokesperson for Jacob Zuma, Mzwanele Manyi and former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) CEO Lucky Montana were sworn in yesterday at the Good Hope Hall in Cape Town. The MK Party new members are replacing former MPs who were expelled by the party two weeks ago. Other MPs who were sworn in yesterday are musician and reality TV star Eric 'Papa Penny' Nkovani, Thulani Gamede, Thembisile Mjadu and former Matilda Gasa.
LUCKY MONTANA: The former Prasa CEO was implicated in the R2.6 billion locomotive deal. According to a former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela report, Montana was allegedly central to the 2013 irregular R3.5 billion tender awarded to Swifambo Rails for the procurement of locomotives to replace Prasa's ageing fleet. Prasa paid R2.6 billion for the contract, but only 13 of the 88 locomotives were delivered and they were too tall for local rail infrastructure. Montana has denied approving the Swifambo deal and told the Zondo State Capture Commission that the board approved it upon recommendation from the Bid Adjudication Committee. Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo found that Montana appeared to have been a significant role player in the capture of Prasa by determining which service providers would be allocated major tenders. The commission recommended that the police investigate Montana for his role in the awarding of the tender.
BRIAN MOLEFE: Molefe was in charge of Eskom when it was fingered in some shady deals with the controversial Gupta family. According to the report by Madonsela, she alleged that Eskom helped Gupta-owned company Tegeta take over Optimum Mine by agreeing to a R600 million pre-payment for coal. Zondo stated in his report that Eskom entered into irregular contracts worth R14.7 billion mainly with entities linked to members of the Gupta family, who were Zuma's friends and in business with one of his sons, Duduzane Zuma. In Zondo's report, he said: "The evidence proves a scheme by the Guptas to capture Eskom, install the Guptas' selected officials in strategic positions within Eskom as members of the board, the committees of the board, and the executives and then divert Eskom's assets to the Guptas' financial advantage."
SIYABONGA GAMA: Former Transnet CEO Siyabonga Gama is currently facing a raft of charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. These are in relation to the R405 million Transnet consultancy corruption case. Former Transnet CEO, whose tenure was marred by allegations of corruption. Gama's involvement in awarding lucrative contracts at Transnet exemplifies the deep-seated corruption that has plagued our state-owned enterprises.
MZWANELE MANYI: Former Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) boss Mzwanele Manyi was fingered in money laundering after he was dismissed from the All-Africa Decolonisation Congress (AADC) party, which he formed. The AADC accused Manyi of trying to use churches that support the party to launder money and discussing party funding with the controversial Gupta family. In the related MK news, former Democratic Alliance (DA) member and formerJohannesburg Speaker Colleen Makhubele resigned from the SA Rainbow Alliance (SARA) and joined the MK. Makhubele said the MK Party has become a beacon of hope to unite and rally African leaders and their people. Today, the MK removed Sihle Ngubane from the Chief Whip position and replaced him with Manyi.
A MOCKERY OF DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES
In a statement yesterday, the DA said the swearing-in of individuals implicated in state capture as Members of Parliament for the MK Party was an insult to the people of South Africa, who have suffered the devastating consequences of corruption and mismanagement under the very individuals now poised to represent them in Parliament. "The DA usually refrains from commenting on the internal workings and appointments of political parties. However, the decision to put forward these names does not only reflect on the character of the MK, but also has serious implications for the dignity of Parliament as an institution and therefore warrants a response. Furthermore, the MK Party's decision to amend their party lists, chopping and changing them at will, has undermined the very essence of democratic representation," the party said in a statement. The DA added: "This makes a mockery of our democratic process, where transparency and trust should be paramount. As a part of the Government of National Unity team, the DA is dedicated to maintaining the values of effective governance. We consider being a Member of Parliament more than a privilege; it is a duty that should be carried out with complete integrity," the party said. On the other hand, MK Party said after the swearing in that they fully embrace the capable and experienced 'public servants.' "We know that the neocolonial elite and establishments, as well as the Ramaphosa-led ANC, hounded them out of state-owned enterprises so that they weaken them and later privatise them," said MK Party deputy leader John Hlophe, who also happens to be the first judge removed from the bench in democratic South Africa. "The MKP is bringing them into the fold so that they can continue to provide strategic leadership and insulate our institutions and state companies from capture and privatisation."
