Dipuo Peters denies any involvement in state capture at Prasa
Former transport minister Dipuo Peters has told the commission of inquiry into state capture that she has never been involved in anything untoward at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).
Peters appeared before the commission on Monday.
Her testimony focused on a meeting she attended with former president Jacob Zuma in August 2015.
At the meeting, Zuma allegedly demanded that the Prasa board, led by Popo Molefe, reinstate former CEO Lucky Montana.
Even though she is not facing allegations, Peters told the commission that she never interfered with operations at the rail agency.
"I have never been influenced by anybody to influence tenders. Both Mr Molefe and Mr Montana will indicate that I have never participated in the process in tenders in any of their establishments or Prasa itself.”
She said her political party, the African National Congress (ANC), has resolved that politicians must not interfere in the work of state-owned enterprises.
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Molefe previously told the commission that he was concerned about the meeting as Zuma was meddling in Prasa matters.
At the time, Prasa and Montana were at loggerheads.
Peters told the commission that she did not get the impression that Zuma called the meeting to demand Montana’s return, even though he did invite Montana to address the meeting.
She confirmed that there are no minutes for that meeting and it had no particular conclusion.
The commission’s chair, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, was not convinced.
"On the face of it, it seems to me there might be credit to Mr Molefe's version that the meeting did discuss Mr Montana's possible return to Prasa and that Mr Zuma spoke in favour of the board allowing Mr Montana coming back.
“I am saying on the face of it, I have not made a finding.
"I say this because you have a situation where somebody who no longer has anything to do with Prasa, comes back and is allowed a lot of time to address the president, two ministers and the board.
“But he has nothing to do with Prasa anymore and as you said in his long address, he in effect talked about the work he had done in his tenure at Prasa and also offers solutions to the problems of Prasa if he is allowed to return," added Zondo.
Zondo said it is unfortunate that Zuma might never be able to answer to this at the commission.
