Trevor Manuel expected to testify about Mbalula’s Gupta confession
Former finance minister, in an open letter in 2018, said Fikile Mbalula told the ANC NEC that Atul Gupta informed him he would be appointed sports minister
Former finance minister Trevor Manuel is expected to implicate Atul Gupta at the state capture inquiry with testimony that suggests the middle Gupta brother played a role in the appointment of Fikile Mbalula as sports minister. But on Thursday, Mbalula told Business Day that it was not Atul Gupta who appeared to have foreknowledge of his 2010 appointment, but rather his brother Ajay.
“It was not Atul who congratulated me about getting the position of sports minister. It was Ajay. The commission has asked me about this, but I haven’t given it a statement. I’m not running away from this inquiry. I’ve answered all their questions to the best of my ability and I’m willing to testify,” Mbalula said. The Guptas, who have close relations with former president Jacob Zuma and his son Duduzane, have come under scrutiny at the Zondo commission, where several witnesses have testified about their attempts at political influence for their commercial benefit. The Guptas’ lawyers, meanwhile,...
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