Thread by @TheMikeAppel

#StateCaptureInquiry Popo Molefe dealing with Swifambo matter. [BACKGROUND] "Swifambo was initially meant to carry out the leasing of locomotives to be used for passenger services...the board later found that the company did not meet Prasa's requirements. news24.com/fin24/companie…

"News24 also previously reported that less than a week after Prasa made its first payment of nearly R500 million to Swifambo, the latter's MD paid R14.3 million into the account of a lawyer who had introduced himself as an ANC fundraiser. The total would come to nearly R80m."

#StateCaptureInquiry We're hearing the name Maria Gomes a lot. She is an Angolan businesswoman who former President Zuma reportedly regularly visited in her home in Sandton. Gomes allegedly received payments totalling about R40m from Auswell Mashaba, Swifambo’s MD.

According to biznews.com/leadership/201… "Mashaba also allegedly made payments totalling nearly R39m to the law firm of George Sabelo, a business partner of Zuma’s eldest son." #StateCaptureInquiry

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe: "In fairness to the ANC. I don't have evidence that says you got that money [siphoned from Swifambo deal]."
Zondo: "Yes, I'm not aware of any evidence that the ANC got money from Swifambo. I have only heard evidence of what Auswell Mashaba told you."

#StateCaptureInquiry Adv Soni: "That is the only link we have. His [Mashaba's] statement to you that 'I received payments on behalf of Swifambo&was asked to make those payments to Ms Gomes who would then distribute it to the movement [ANC]. I don't know whether she did so'."[1/2]

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe: "That is correct chairperson." [2/2]

#StateCaptureInquiry is back after tea. Evidence leader wants to deal with a series of emails between former Prasa GCE Lucky Montana and controversial Angolan businesswoman Maria Gomes [alleged to have received million meant for "the movement"].

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe says Gomes sent an email on 17 Dec 2013 addressed to Lucky Montana. Another is a mail from Montana to Gomes "Dear Comrade Sonya", dated 16 Dec 2013. Molefe confirms the subject matter of the emails are the "capital projects that Prasa will undertake".

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe reads the email by Montana to Maria Gomes. "Dear Comrade Sonya...". The mail details what Prasa projects will be undertaken and what the project tender costs are.

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe moves to read the 17 Dec 2013 email from Gomes to Montana. The subject matter is summary notes. He's asked to read the whole mail. Molefe: "Dear Comrade Happy...today I will have a meeting with the Vice President of the bank to deal with what...[1/2]

#StateCaptureInquiry ...we need. If you feel you can come and participate. Our man is completely desperate. Signed SG...[Sonya Gomes]." [2/2]

#StateCaptureInquiry Zondo asks if Molefe knows Montana to have the nickname "Comrade Happy". Molefe says he doesn't.

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe says the first alarming feature of the email correspondence is the familiarity between Montana and Gomes. Also, Montana sent Gomes details of projects within Prasa, and he had no business sharing those details.

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe is asked where he got these emails from. Molefe says the emails were found in the course of investigations. Lucky Montana had already left Prasa by then. A lot of work was done imaging laptops.

#StateCaptureInquiry The allegation from Auswell Mashaba at Swifambo is Maria Gomes said "the movement" wanted 10% of all of Prasa's projects...I'm sure I know of another comrade known as Mr 10%? Hmmmm @PLMyburgh

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe now dealing with letters he wrote to the National Prosecuting Authority's NDPP and the Head of the Hawks. He's asked to summarise what he wrote to them. Molefe says it was a complaint about the fact that nothing had been done about cases reported.

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe: "The fact that we had registered several of these criminal cases...we tabled 69 cases that we had reported. We were concerned that there was no movement [from law enforcement or NPA]."

#StateCaptureInquiry Zondo says it must have been frustrating to Molefe &the Board that they had to remind law enforcement that they needed to do their job. "It must have been frustrating to have to approach so many entities without getting support for your fight Vs corruption."

#StateCaptureInquiry Zondo: "To the extent that State Capture involved paralyzing institutions. What happened with your board [trying to get action Vs corruption], it may well be that it is a manifestation of that paralysis."

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe says any police officer who dared touch any of the corruption cases became casualties who lost their jobs. [He cites former Hawks Head Gen Anwa Dramat and Shadrack Sibiya as some of the casualties].

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe says he wants to credit the new leadership of the DCPI "Hawks". He says Gen Godfrey Lebeya and others are now rebuilding and showing commitment to these cases, including those at the NPA.

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe says when he got no response in letters he wrote asking for action from the Hawks and NPA, he then turned to the courts.

#StateCaptureInquiry Zondo says you have taxpayer money from one organ of state [Prasa] being used to compel another organ of state [Hawks & NPA] to do their job. "It's a very strange situation," says Zondo.

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe says to the credit of Scopa, they did call Hawks to come to account on what they were doing about these corruption cases. "They [Ntlemeza] sounded at 6s and 7s...nothing happened after that," says Molefe.

#StateCaptureInquiry Zondo has a lengthy go at just how genuine government, ministers, the ANC, law enforcement, Parliament, and the then President's [at the times] commitment was to ACTUALLY fighting corruption when cases at the Hawks were simply ignored for years and years.

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe says: "Those who sing that they are fighting corruption but are not acting, probably think that all they need to do is sing a ritual about corruption."

#StateCaptureInquiry will not stop for lunch at 1pm. It seems Mr Molefe's evidence is almost done. They are intent on finishing with him today.

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe says the contract with Swifambo was unlawful. It needed to be set aside. The court did so. The locomotives should have been returned to the supplier and Prasa refunded. At the time, R2.6bn had already been paid and only 13 locomotives delivered.

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe: "State Capture seems to have successfully captured key people in the governing party [#ANC] and the governing party, having been captured, allowing further capturing of organs of state... it itself has been paralysed."

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe: "I am not covering myself in glory in saying this but it has to be said because we have tried to allow things to happen expecting people would act in a manner that is ethical, reflecting courage, placing the country 1st rather than sectarian groups."

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe: "All of what we have seen starts with the removal of Mr Montana. A question that then arises is was he placed there for a purpose rather than running this all-important public organisation to serve the poor of our country."

#StateCaptureInquiry Zondo: "I continue to be concerned...by role of Parliament in oversight...if a senior official in the governing party is aware that another senior leader is involved in wrong doing, he or she will be afraid to do what is right and say you can't do this."

#StateCaptureInquiry Zondo: "If I am a member of the governing party...and I'm thinking of doing my job properly, I get scared, because I rely on someone to make me a Minister of MP...if I stand up and do my job properly, in keeping with oath of office [country 1st]...

#StateCaptureInquiry Zondo: "...if I ask tough questions in Parliament members of the governing party will ask if I'm a member of the party or a member of the opposition. I will be limiting my career or without a job because I ask too many questions."

#StateCaptureInquiry Zondo: "If I'm the President and I see there's someone not doing their job, I won't fire them because they have a constituency I may need to get reelected [within the ANC]. It may well be that unless these issues are resolved, whatever we do as a country...

#StateCaptureInquiry Zondo: "...in trying to reduce the levels of corruption won't be successful. Your party requires you to do this job and it is not a career-limiting thing to ask tough questions of people from your own party."

#StateCaptureInquiry Zondo:"We need a person who says 'start with me' - ask me anything.I'm sure some will say I'm just dreaming. Such a thing will not happen. We need something quite drastic. We need someone who isn't looking at re-election but just wants to do the right thing."

#StateCaptureInquiry Zondo: "We don't need speeches on how people are fighting corruption. We want action. You [Molefe] have come here and given evidence. I have no doubt there are many others in the governing party [#ANC] who should come before the commission."

#StateCaptureInquiry Zondo: "I thank you for your contribution. I am sure there will be people who come and say what you said is not true. I am grateful you had the courage to do that. I just wish more people would come and help the Commission in that way. Thank you Mr Molefe."

#StateCaptureInquiry Adv Soni: "True patriotism is speaking truth to power in the most difficult circumstances. We hope you [Molefe] coming here will be a clarion call for other patriots to come forward. Unless they do, we won't find the solution to move the country forward."

#StateCaptureInquiry Molefe concludes his evidence. The Commission takes an hour break now and resumes at 3pm.