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Mafika Mkhwanazi previously denied that Minister Malusi Gigaba was involved in reviewing the dismissal of former CEO Siyabonga Gama, but this afternoon he wanted to change his story.
A screenshot of former Transnet board chair Mafika Mkwanazi at the state capture commission on Friday, October 16, 2020. Image: SABC Digital News / Youtube
JOHANNESBURG – The former chairman of the Transnet board of directors, Mafika Mkhwanazi, has been caught by the state capture commission.
The investigation said it denied in its affidavit that Minister Malusi Gigaba had anything to do with the review of the dismissal of former CEO Siyabonga Gama.
But on Friday afternoon he wanted to file another affidavit saying yes.
“Yes, I point out that a supplemental affidavit is coming up,” Mkhwanazi said.
The test leader’s advocate, Anton Myburgh, replied: “No, but Mr. Mkhwanazi in his statement answered that question in the negative. You can’t get out of this by saying you’re going to file another affidavit. “
Mkhwanazi has had to admit more than once that he was not responsible.
He said he never knew that junior officials who committed crimes similar to Gama’s were fired, but Gama was reinstated.
The commission heard how a contract for R960 million skyrocketed to R1.8 billion and the board’s approval for the escalation was requested only afterwards.
Mkhwanazi argued that Gama was not given the opportunity to request a diversion, but was told by Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo that as a top executive, Gama should have known that he had to request a diversion in advance.
And on Friday afternoon he tried to get out of a conversation he had with Gigaba, which seems to be the reason why he rejoined Gama.
“Were there any cabinet members who played a role in the matter that was resolved?” Myburgh asked.
“If you put it that way, definitely Mr. Gigaba in my interaction with him in late October played a role that said you can review this matter, but not necessarily the actual resolution agreement,” Mkhwanazi said.
“But didn’t you put that in your statement?” Myburgh asked.
“A supplemental affidavit is coming,” responded Mkhwanazi, who testified remotely via video link.
NOT TO LAUGH
Earlier, Zondo could not contain his laughter when Mkhwanazi nonchalantly admitted that ministers and deputies had companies that wanted business from state entities.
Mkhwanazi told the state capture commission that employees who looked out for their interests had a direct line to those ministers.
He was answering questions about how ministers and former President Jacob Zuma knew intimate details of what was happening on Transnet.
At the time, CEO Gama was facing disciplinary action for failing to obtain board approval to divert spending worth billions of dollars.
Zondo fought to hide his surprise.
“President, you have to understand that some of these ministers and members of Parliament have companies that I somehow suspect have an interest in what is happening in these state companies. That is why they are interested in bidding opportunities, whether they exist or not, ”Mkhwanazi said.
This brought a laugh from Zondo, who said, “Well obviously, Mr. Mkhwanazi, you can see I’m laughing.”
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