I left politics because of state capture allegations, Lynne Brown says
Former public enterprises minister Lynne Brown has told the commission of inquiry into state capture that she left active politics due to the allegations against her.
Brown, who appeared at the commission on Friday, is alleged to have been involved in corruption at state-owned enterprises during her time in Cabinet.
She was dealing with Eskom-related allegations.
Former Eskom board chairperson Zola Tsotsi alleged Brown was working with Gupta associate-Salim Esss in running Eskom.
Brown resigned as an African National Congress (ANC) MP in March 2018, four days after she was axed from Cabinet.
"The attacks dealt with people who had nothing to do with my work, family, and friends,” she told the commission on Friday.
If I were to read everything I read in the papers I wouldn't be surprised if everyone thought I lived in a palace with a couple of sports cars in my basement, a house built by the Gupta, and a whole lot of Gucci.”
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Brown added that she still lives in the same house she bought 18 years ago.
"They were all unmitigated attacks and I then decided to leave politics. At the time my father was also ill and this played a big role in my leaving politics.
“The attacks in essence were driven by a campaign that the chairperson now has to make a decision in answering the question of whether I was part of capturing the state via an entrance with the Gupta, the president and all that, " she added.
Brown said she remains a member of the ANC and is involved in her local branch.
