Madonsela describes difficulties in getting answers for state capture report

02 November 2016 - 21:36 By Julia Madibogo

Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has lifted the veil on some of the hurdles she encountered in her attempts to investigate her State of Capture report released on Wednesday. These ranged from evasions and long trips abroad to flat-out refusals to answer her questions.Speaking to radio 702 on Wednesday‚ Madonsela said it was because of this that she and her team had not been able to conclude the report properly. "It is not like our normal reports‚ hence it will raise a lot of questions… because of the legal proceedings and because a lot parties were suddenly unavailable and some went abroad for long periods of time."When we asked if they could be interviewed by Skype‚ they were not available. When we asked if they could answer some questions in writing‚ they were not prepared to answer questions in writing and because of that we have unconcluded processes in some respects‚" Madonsela said.9 things you need to know about the #StateCaptureReportFeeling a bit overwhelmed by all the news coming out of the 'State of Capture' report? We break down some of the things we've learnt so far from former public protector Thuli Madonsela's report. She added that the report‚ "provides some answers. It raises some questions and then provides a mechanism to conclude the process".In the report‚ released on Wednesday on the orders of the North Gauteng High Court‚ Madonsela recommends that the president establishes a commission of enquiry as a remedial action. Madosela said the court actions that occurred before the release of the state capture reports gave the world a glimpse into the processes that occur in the public protector's office."I was fascinated by what happened… It gave the world a glimpse into the world we have occupied as public protector when we were doing high-stakes reports. We ended up dealing with courts in these litigation processes instead of focusing on our work. "I believe it’s important. We have always wanted to comply with the Constitution... as part of the foundational principles of our democracy and that’s why the exercise of public power had to [be done] accountably and responsibly."In another interview on Wednesday‚ this one with Eyewitness News Madonsela said she was not concerned that her report on state capture will be left to gather dust.Thuli joins the dots between the Guptas and the Eskom boardThe Eskom board nominated by public enterprises minister Lynne Brown and appointed by the cabinet in September 2015 “consisted predominantly of individuals with direct and indirect business or personal relations” with Duduzile Zuma‚ the Guptas and their associates. Civil society‚ she said‚ would ensure that a judicial commission of inquiry is appointed to dig even deeper into allegations of state capture.Madonsela's outgoing report into undue political influence by the Gupta family said remedial action had to be taken. This included placing the onus on President Jacob Zuma to appoint a judicial commission of inquiry‚ headed by a judge selected by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng‚ within 30 days. The country’s new Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane had to ensure that this was done.Madonsela said that should the remedial action she called for "not be enforced by the [new] public protector that won’t be a train smash". "Civil society has‚ in the last few months‚ seized back urgency and seized back its power to hold the state accountable‚" she said.The remedial action action "will definitely move forward with civil society driving the process‚" she added. South Africans united in an unprecident show of displeasure over corruption and state capture on Wednesday as they marched in Pretoria and gathered in towns across the country.Read the full #StateCaptureReport hereThe Public Protector has released the state capture report, which focuses on the investigation into complaints regarding any alleged improper and unethical conduct by President Jacob Zuma and any other persons related to alleged improper relationships with the Gupta family. Read the full report here... - TMG Digital..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.