Mkhwebane has 'absolutely no links to the Guptas', says spokesman after HSBC 'flagged' $5,000 payment

31 July 2019 - 07:00 By Nomahlubi Jordaan
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Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has denied having any financial links to the Guptas.
Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has denied having any financial links to the Guptas.
Image: Gallo Images / Beeld / Deaan Vivier

Public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has rejected a report claiming she had financial links to the controversial Gupta family.

Investigative journalism organisation Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) reported on Tuesday that Mkhwebane was "flagged" by global banking giant HSBC as having financial links to the Guptas.

"Mkhwebane rejects with contempt the claims contained in a report by donor-funded non-profit organisation, Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), that she was flagged by international banking institution, HSBC, as having financial links to the Gupta family," Mkhwebane's spokesperson Oupa Segalwe said in a statement on Tuesday night.

According to the OCCRP investigation, Mkhwebane received a payment of more than $5,000, which was paid into her FNB account in June 2014.

"Adv Mkhwebane would like to place on the record the fact that she heard for the first time from the OCCRP last Thursday that she had been flagged. HSBC has never brought this flagging to her attention and she has absolutely no links with the Guptas," Segalwe said.

He said Mkhwebane has been a target of "dirty tricks" since she started investigating "powerful people" - but did not go as far as naming them directly.

"This is yet another example of the onslaught," said Segalwe.

He said this was one of a number of claims that formed part of an "orchestrated campaign and concerted efforts in political circles, civil society and the media, to discredit her merely because she has been able to muster enough courage to hold those seen as untouchable to account".

"She will not be discouraged. Instead, these attacks give her strength to discharge her functions with renewed vigour, without fear, favour or prejudice," said Segalwe.


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