DAVID MAIMELA: The Zondo inquiry and why SA must formalise lobbying activity
OPINION
The Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture has somewhat thrust the think industry into the spotlight. The think industry refers to a range of individuals, activities and institutions that play the role of facilitating ideas in public affairs. At a professional level, this refers to advisers, consultants, researchers, academics, policy specialists and others who often facilitate ideas through different forms of lobbying and policy engagements.
Historically, the practice of advising governments or kingdoms on governance and public affairs generally is as old as human history. Over the centuries, the think industry has grown and diversified to a point where it now intersects with power in more complex and advanced ways owing to the evolution of modern governance systems.
WATCH LIVE: Ex-Eskom CEO Matshela Koko returns to Zondo commission of inquiry Matshela Koko returns to the State Capture commission on Wednesday. FILE: A screengrab of former Eskom executive Matshela Koko appearing at the state capture inquiry on 1 March 2021. Picture: SABC/YouTube
3 hours ago
JOHANNESBURG - Former Eskom group chief executive Matshela Koko will continue to give evidence at the Zondo Commission into State Capture on Wednesday.
Koko told the commission recently that he paid for all the flights and visas for him and his family to travel from Indonesia to Dubai and South Africa, and claimed that he asked former Eskom company secretary, Suzanne Daniels, to make the changes and apply for visas. Daniels and travel agent Sameera Sooliman told the state capture commission that not only did controversial businessperson Salim Essa instruct her to arrange the flights, but he also paid R1
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WATCH LIVE: Mosebenzi Zwane testifies on Eskom, Estina project The state capture commission is hearing Eskom and Estina dairy farm project related evidence from former Minister of Mineral Resources Mosebenzi Zwane on Tuesday. FILE: A screenshot of Mosebenzi Zwane appearing before the state capture commission. Picture: SABCNews/Youtube
‘Ajay Gupta was Malusi Gigaba’s unofficial advisor’ – Norma Mngoma Malusi Gigaba’s estranged wife testified at the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture, where she said Gigaba returned with bags of cash after visits to the Gupta residence. Former Minister Malusi Gigaba’s estranged wife Norma Mngoma at the state capture inquiry on 26 April 2021. Picture: YouTube screengrab/SABC.
2 hours ago
JOHANNESBURG - The state capture commission heard on Monday that former Minister Malusi Gigaba knew the Guptas influenced his appointment and those of Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama as CEOs of Eskom and Transnet.
The Zondo commission has also been told he knew that while he was appointed Finance Minister, Molefe was the person that former President Jacob Zuma actually wanted in that position.