RANJENI MUNUSAMY: Gwede Mantashe and other ANC bigwigs grilled Standard Bank over closing Gupta accounts
'Two of its current top officials as well as three serving members of the national executive committee (NEC) have been incriminated in trying to bully a major SA bank to reopen the Guptas’ bank accounts in 2016'
EXTRACT
Sinton said at the meeting with Mantashe, now the ANC’s national chairperson, deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte and NEC member Enoch Godongwana, the bank was asked whether it was part of “white monopoly capital oppressing black people”, and whether the bank’s management was taking instructions from people in Stellenbosch.
“This was the first time I saw my boss (Tshabalala) get really angry,” said Sinton.
He said they explained the policies and procedures leading to the closure of bank accounts, and informed the ANC that they were complying with the law by taking the necessary steps to protect the bank.
The ANC’s wish to keep a safe distance from the state capture inquiry came to an abrupt end on Monday. The party can no longer claim it is not on trial and that state capture was perpetrated by some members who went rogue on the organisation. It also cannot continue to quietly blame its former president, Jacob Zuma, for collusion with the Gupta family. Two of its current top officials as well as three serving members of the national executive committee (NEC) have been incriminated in trying to bully a major SA bank to reopen the Guptas’ bank accounts in 2016. Led by advocate Phillip Mokoena, Standard Bank’s former head of compliance Ian Sinton gave startling evidence at the inquiry about how senior management of the bank were summoned to the ANC headquarters at Luthuli House after the Guptas and Duduzane Zuma were given notice that their accounts were to be terminated. Sinton told Judge Raymond Zondo that Standard Bank’s chief executive Sim Tshabalala received a request for a meetin...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.