LISTEN: ‘More public servants able to provide info on state capture’
The commission of inquiry into state capture has heard that there are a number of senior public servants who have information on the dealings of the Gupta family but that they are afraid of losing their jobs.
Former CEO of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), Themba Maseko made the revelation during his first appearance on Wednesday.
Maseko first went public in 2016, alleging that Ajay Gupta demanded he spend GCIS’s R600 million budget at the New Age newspaper during a meeting at the Gupta compound in Saxonwold in 2010.
He alleged that former President Jacob Zuma had contacted him before his meeting with Ajay Gupta, instructing him to help the family.
In 2016, Maseko and other former directors-general in government submitted a memorandum of demands to different ministers, as well as Zuma and then Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, raising concern on the undue influence of the Guptas in government procurement matters.
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“Chairperson, I am convinced that there are a number of senior public servants, middle managers, who have had experiences with a number of individuals including the Gupta family. But it could also pertain to the conduct and behavior of their political bosses, ministers, MEC’s and premiers, who have information and may be willing to give it to your commission. But it is my honest view that the reason why they may not be able to come through is because of fear of reprisals, loss of jobs and generally the country’s unwillingness or inability to support those who are willing to come forward,” he told the commission’s chair, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
Maseko says following the submission of the memorandum some former DG’s were willing to come forward with information but got cold feet after witnessing heads of the State Security Agency being removed for speaking out.
“At the time one of the issues we spoke about was the fact that there was a case of heads of intelligent services who had written a report expressing their concerns about the significant influence that the Gupta family seems to be having. They might have used the phrase” ‘The Gupta family may become a security risk or an intelligence risk for the country.’ What we saw was an unprecedent move, where all of the heads of intelligence services were removed from their positions.”
He told the commission the political climate has changed since 2016 and some of these former government employees may now be willing to come forward.
Zondo has instructed his legal team to do the necessary research so the potential witnesses can provide information to the commission.