'Jacob Zuma - front and centre of State Capture - cost South Africans R500bn'

R500 billion, and counting. The Money Show’s Bruce Whitfield interviews independent political analyst Dr Somadoda Fikeni.

This is the apex of submissions to the Zondo commission where people are providing concrete evidence that indeed the Guptas were involved in State Capture and that the former President facilitated the process…

Dr Somadoda Fikeni, independent policy and political analyst

How will those who are denying this reality present themselves? Because one presenter after another has suggested a very clear link between the Guptas and State Capture.

Dr Somadoda Fikeni, independent policy and political analyst

Jacob Zuma was at the front and centre of the State Capture project, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan testified to the Zondo commission of inquiry.

Gordhan also revealed how Zuma’s firing of then Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene cost South Africans R500 billion.

Zuma denies that State Capture exists, saying nobody at the Zondo commission of inquiry mentioned it.

Just a few of the shocking revelations from Gordhan’s testimony include:

• Zuma tried to strong-arm Treasury into approving three massive deals South Africa couldn’t afford.

• He did nothing to protect Gordhan when he faced a sham investigation by the Hawks after taking over from Nene.

• Zuma took the authority to appoint a Sars Commissioner from Gordhan to put in place Tom Moyane.

… State Capture and corruption are consequences of the unleashing of the worst human instincts – self-enrichment, neglect of the higher mission, placing one’s self-interest before the community’s interests...

Pravin Gordhan

For a detailed account of the above, read this Daily Maverick article.

Ray White (in for The Money Show’s Bruce Whitfield) asked independent political analyst Dr Somadoda Fikeni for comment.

Listen to the interview in the audio below (and/or scroll down for more quotes from it).

[Why is the EFF so against Pravin Gordhan?] …People the EFF once defended, it doesn’t take long before they turn against them…

Dr Somadoda Fikeni, independent policy and political analyst

[Regarding Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane taking aim at Pravin Gordhan] This came quite as a surprise, especially the timing of it… That’s not to say we should not be looking into any other political figure… Political leaders are fallible… if there is any substance he should be investigated…

Dr Somadoda Fikeni, independent policy and political analyst

The politics have been weighing heavily on the work they [prosecutors] do… The Hawks seems to be very sluggish, and sometimes reluctant…

Dr Somadoda Fikeni, independent policy and political analyst

There is no doubt that the South African media... is being used…

Dr Somadoda Fikeni, independent policy and political analyst

I think they [Malusi Gigaba and Dudu Myeni] need to be worried…

Dr Somadoda Fikeni, independent policy and political analyst

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This article first appeared on 702 : 'Jacob Zuma - front and centre of State Capture - cost South Africans R500bn'

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