In early May 2017, the Sowetan asked "Is this the R445 million house the Guptas bought in Dubai?" Source: Twitter @SowetanLive.

Home » #GuptaLeaks Threatens to Blow the Lid off Gupta Family’s State Capture of South Africa

#GuptaLeaks Threatens to Blow the Lid off Gupta Family’s State Capture of South Africa

Between 100,000 and 200,000 leaked emails threaten to expose the controversial Gupta Family’s power and control over several South African politicians… and ultimately over South Africa itself. The revelations are set to be released by amaBhungane, a non-profit centre for investigative journalism, and Scorpio, the Daily Maverick’s new investigative unit. According to amaBhungane and Scorpio, the […]

By SAPeople
01-06-17 15:32
in Fab South African Stuff
In early May 2017, the Sowetan asked "Is this the R445 million house the Guptas bought in Dubai?" Source: Twitter @SowetanLive.

Between 100,000 and 200,000 leaked emails threaten to expose the controversial Gupta Family’s power and control over several South African politicians… and ultimately over South Africa itself.

In early May 2017, the Sowetan asked “Is this the R445 million house the Guptas bought in Dubai?” Source: Twitter @SowetanLive.

The revelations are set to be released by amaBhungane, a non-profit centre for investigative journalism, and Scorpio, the Daily Maverick’s new investigative unit.

According to amaBhungane and Scorpio, the emails show details of the deals made between the Gupta brothers and Chinese-owned companies looking to secure contracts in South Africa… and the emails expose the underbelly of South Africa – not the drug addicts and conventional criminals on the street – but the ministers and state officials who have been assisting the Indian family… for lucrative kick-backs.

The large Transnet contract, for instance, for almost 400 trains – which was won by a Chinese manufacturer – was allegedly secured for them by the Guptas, who then made millions on the deal… some of which it’s alleged was passed on to those who assisted.

The Daily Maverick said the emails show “how the president’s friends and their associates are diverting billions of rands from Transnet’s purchase of locomotives to their offshore accounts.”

They allege that the kickback agreements with the manufacturer totalled R5.3 billion; and that the President’s friends are “pocketing R10 million from each R50 million locomotive that Transnet is buying”.

Several political figures are exposed in the emails, particularly Malusi Gigaba – former Minister of Home Affairs, and now Minister of Finance (since President Jacob Zuma single-handedly reshuffled his Cabinet and fired Pravin Gordhan); and Zuma’s son Duduzane. Both men have been separately labelled in some reports today as the ‘kingpins’.

Duduzane has allegedly been the ‘middle man’, taking care of communication between his father, other ministers, and the Gupta brothers.

It’s not only top ministers (and the head of the country!) that have allegedly been involved in the Gupta ‘state capture’… but those further down the feeding chain too – such as departmental officials.

Some of the emails reportedly show Eskom’s former acting CEO Matshela Koko being lobbied, by associates of the Guptas, for a R1.6-billion prepayment that they would have used to buy Optimum Coal mine.

The emails also reveal details about the R331-million mansion the Gupas were alleged to have bought in wealthy Dubai suburb, Emirates Hills, as well as Duduzane’s R17.9-million apartment in Burj Khalifaemails; and Zuma’s intentions. In one draft he says to one of the Emirati rulers: “I am happy to inform you that my family has decided to make the UAE, and specifically Dubai, a second home and have already acquired a residence located at Emirates Hills, Dubai (Villa No. L-35, Lailak Street No.1).”

According to journalist Sam Sole, who is largely responsible for digging and uncovering this story (or series of stories), all the emails have been saved offshore on a secure platform and will soon be accessible in their entirety by request.

As one well known South African in Gauteng said on his Facebook page today: “Karma is a bitch! Over 200,000 emails leaked – showing how the Gupta family infiltrated powerful South African politicians – including Presidente Zuma, Eskom, Transnet… Shocking revelations about state capture! Bravo to the #DailyMaverick, Sam Sole – the brilliant journalist, #702… This can be bigger than #Wikileaks, the Watergate Scandal! What an explosive expose!”

The expose, if proved true, is an incredible tribute to how amazing some South African journalists are… taking on what the Hawks are meant to be doing…

One social media user said today that SA journalism is “what will save SA from becoming just another African failed state.”