State capture inquiry hears GCIS became ‘dysfunctional' under Muthambi
The commission of inquiry into state capture inquiry heard on Monday that GCIS had become dysfunctional under the leadership of former communications minister Faith Muthambi.
Acting head of government communications Phumla Williams took the stand for a second day at the hearings in Parktown.
“Chairperson, if I may just say that the damage done by minister Faith Muthambi. For a very long time, GCIS was called a Hollywood place, because a lot of people had resigned. And I should indicate that one of the other things that Muthambi did, was to take over the powers of appointing people. When the post became available, it had to become at her whims whether she filled her post or not,” Williams told the commission.
The commission is currently hearing testimony about the abuse of power by some senior government officials as well as the involvement of former President Jacob Zuma's with the Gupta brothers.
Last week the commission heard about how former Afro Worldview owner and former government spokesperson, Mswanele Manyi attempted to influence Williams' testimony.
Manyi sent Williams a text while she was on the witness stand, attempting clarifying that the controversial TNA [The New Age newspaper] breakfasts didn’t happen during his tenure.
Just so it's clear. Phumla was relating the changes I brought into GCIS. In the same breath she mentions TNA/SABC breakfast which in my view created the impression that I was somehow part of that. So I sent her a text for her to clarify that this happened AFTER my era pic.twitter.com/j1TRvG8q1N
— Mzwanele Manyi (@MzwaneleManyi) August 31, 2018
The commission’s chairperson, deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo, indicated that Manyi would be called to allow him to explain his actions.