PR company on Gupta payroll leaked banking inquiry probe to media

22 September 2016 11:55 AM

A report by Fin24 content producer Matthew le Cordeur reveals that a public relations firm representing Gupta-owned Oakbay Investments, knew about the recommendations for a judicial inquiry into South Africa’s banks at least seven weeks before they were controversially published by Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane.

I was offered a scoop on this leaked source. We looked at it and tried to verify it ...none of them could verify it. They said it's confidential and I shouldn't be having the documents in the first place.
— Matthew le Cordeur, content producer Fin24

Fin24 was unable to verify the documents at the time and did not run the story.

Bell Pottinger, a company working for the Guptas, released the documents to Fin24 saying it was in the best interest of the country.

Le Cordeur says the PR firm helps companies with bad reputations improve their media image.

He says the company went on record saying that the Gupta's and Minister Zwane had nothing to do with their decision to leak the papers.

Yesterday in Parliament, DA MP James Lorimer, asked President Zuma if he had met with the Guptas and if that meeting led to Mosebenzi Zwane being appointed Minister of Mineral Resources, has had been reported in the media?

The President refused to answer, saying the matter is under investigation by the Public Protector.