What's in it? 5 Stories about the final state capture report you need to read
Image: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
The fifth and final instalment of the state capture report was released on Wednesday evening, with several high-profile politicians and business people implicated.
It deals with, among other things, the controversial Vrede dairy farm project, former spy chief Arthur Fraser, the Gupta family, crime intelligence and alleged corruption at the State Security Agency.
State capture inquiry chairperson chief justice Raymond Zondo presented the last part of the report to President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings.
It follows previous reports released in January, February, March and April.
The inquiry was expected to release the final instalment of the report at the end of April, but the Pretoria high court granted a six-week extension until June 15. This was also delayed by a week, sparking debate among politicians and the public.
The report has implicated dozens of high-profile business people, companies, SOEs, politicians, cabinet ministers and former president Jacob Zuma
Here are stories you need to read about the fifth part of the report:
ZUMA ENABLED GUPTAS TO FLOUT LAWS, WHILE DUDUZANE BENEFITED
Zuma was in breach of the executive code of ethics with his involvement in the Gupta media house TNA Media and news channel ANN7.
The report found Zuma allowed the Gupta family to use their relationship with him to “facilitate and extend” their business interests, including the hiring of undocumented Indian nationals in the country illegally.
Zuma’s son Duduzane was a beneficiary of the relationship through his involvement in the news channel that did business with the SABC.
HAWKS MUST INVESTIGATE ARTHUR FRASER FOR 'PRIMA FACIE CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES'
The report recommends the Hawks look at the possible reinstatement of an investigation into former spy chief Arthur Fraser that was dropped at the insistence of former intelligence minister Siyabonga Cwele.
“The resumption of the investigations should be reconsidered by the Hawks. It might be whoever were involved, including Mr Fraser, get absolved, but the investigations should be allowed to take their normal course,” Zondo said.
He recommended Fraser, former special ops boss Thulani Dlomo and ex-intelligence minister David Mahlobo be investigated for handling and distributing large sums of SSA money.
CHARGE FREE STATE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT OVER VREDE DAIRY PROJECT
The report found funds from the controversial vrede dairy project meant to uplift poor farmers went towards the Gupta family's lavish Sun City wedding.
“The project failed in its first two years of operation, not because of the media enquiries or the National Treasury investigation, as suggested by [former Free State agricultural department head Peter] Thabethe, but because of Thabethe’s incompetence or because he was carrying out the agenda of the Guptas and cared less about the taxpayers’ money and the black farmers.
“Apart from anything else, Thabethe must be held both criminally and civilly liable for his role in causing the department to lose millions of rand in taxpayers' money,” said Zondo.
FRASER, MAHLOBO AND DLOMO AT THE CENTRE OF MUSANDA 'CRIME SCENE'
Zondo said Fraser, David Mahlobo and Thulani Dlomo were probably the most trusted henchmen of Zuma at the state security agency head office, Musanda.
He said the trio were instrumental in illegal activities that took place at the office, serving Zuma’s personal and political interests.
Mahlobo was implicated in having collected large sums of cash under the guise of an operation, allegedly bound for Zuma.
STATE CAPTURE WAS AN ASSAULT ON DEMOCRACY: RAMAPHOSA
Ramaphosa praised former public protector advocate Thuli Madonsela, saying her own state capture report led to the formation of the Zondo commission.
Speaking at the handover of the final part of the report, Ramaphosa said: “State capture was an assault on our democracy and violated the rights of every man, woman and child in this country.
“Through the various reports released by the commission, we have come to understand what happened, who was involved, and what effect state capture has had on our state, our economy and our society.”