Members of the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises have noted the rapid disposal of Gupta-owned South African assets since Monday. It met on Wednesday to receive a report back on the request it made to Parliament for additional resources that it would need to carry out a thorough investigation into state capture allegations.
Committee member, Ms Natasha Mazzone, commented that it was worrying that the Guptas were disposing assets in the country at the rate they are doing.
“The possibility is that they want to leave the country. The Committee should now make sure that Gupta family members who will form part of the list of witnesses are among those called first. Members ought to be aware of the impact of the disposal on state-owned entities,” said Ms Mazzone.
She said she was panicking because of past experiences with President Al-Bashir of Sudan who was allowed to skip the country despite a court order that he be arrested; and Ms Grace Mugabe who was recently given diplomatic immunity after having assaulted a South African woman.
“The issue with the Guptas, South Africa does not have an extradition treaty with Dubai (where the Gupta family is said to be moving) and would struggle to get them back here,” she said.
Committee member, Mr Pravin Gordhan, said if proven that state resources were used to benefit the purchase of the asset being disposed (Tegeta mine) by Oakbay Investments, then the Committee needed to ask questions about the disposal.
He said the information out in the public domain indicates that special favours were done by management of Eskom, and possibly by the board.
“These are entities and transactions mentioned in the state capture report. The Committee should ask what controls they have over these transactions. Why is this mine sold to a foreigner and not a black South African when a lot has been made about radical economic transformation,” Mr Gordhan said.
He said the Committee should be concerned about the finances of Eskom and coal suppliers.
Members agreed that there needed to be an investigation regarding the precautionary interventions Parliament could undertake to stop the disposal of assets, if that will potentially have an impact on the pending investigation. The Committee resolved to ask for a legal opinion on the matter.
The Acting Chairperson, Ms Zukiswa Rantho, said members needed not worry about the Guptas leaving the country.
“Whatever happens we will get them back to the country. But also the law enforcement and the criminal justice should act decisively on the evidence that is there or else they will have to answer as to why they failed to act against this family, when evidence against them was overwhelming,” she said.
“They have all the resources to take this family to court for doing wrong in the country. For now, let’s just focus on what we want to achieve as the Committee,” she said.
By Sibongile Maputi
23 August 2017
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