state capture

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – OCTOBER 21: Former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor opens up abut state capture and the Guptas during an interview on October 21, 2016 in Cape Town, South Africa. Mentor says she now lives in fear of her life after she publicly opened up about being promised a job by the Guptas. (Photo by Gallo Images / Rapport / Conrad Bornman)

State capture inquiry: Vytjie Mentor unpacks the Zupta connection

The Gupta’s may have been the most powerful family in South Africa.

state capture

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – OCTOBER 21: Former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor opens up abut state capture and the Guptas during an interview on October 21, 2016 in Cape Town, South Africa. Mentor says she now lives in fear of her life after she publicly opened up about being promised a job by the Guptas. (Photo by Gallo Images / Rapport / Conrad Bornman)

The state capture inquiry is heating up, as lead whistleblower, Vytjie Mentor, reveals details relating to the Gupta’s dodgy dealings.

Mentor, a former African National Congress (ANC) MP, has been scathing in her reports of public corruption involving former president Jacob Zuma, his son, Duduzane, and the infamous Gupta clan.

As reported by EWN, the courage displayed by Mentor has been chronicled in her own book entitled, No Holy Cows. In her manuscript, she details Zuma’s illicit sexual advances, the Gupta’s goal of running the social grants show, and the deep nepotism entrenched in the ANC.

During her testimony at the state capture inquiry on Monday, Mentor took a trip down memory lane, elaborating on her claims of bribery and political favouritism.

Let’s take a look at what Mentor had to say about the Zupta fraternity.

Controversial trip to China

Mentor alleges that her connection with the Gupta brothers began back in 2010, during an official state visit to China, representing the Department of Trade and Industry.

Duduzane Zuma makes the introduction

In her testimony, Mentor confirmed that Duduzane Zuma cornered her while on the flight to China, and introduced her to Rajesh Gupta and Fana Hlongwane.

Gupta clan controlled the state visit

According to Mentor, the Gupta brother played an intricate role in this particular state visit. While in her hotel room, Mentor says she had received a startling phone call:

“The person on the telephone identified himself as a Gupta. He may have said his name‚ what stuck to my mind was the surname.

He told me that he was sent by Zuma to fetch me to drive me to meet Zuma at the Chinese state guesthouse where he was put up and he told me the president would like to meet me before he [would] head to the state banquet.

He (the Gupta brother) became a little bit aggressive in tone and at one point he said he was going to call the president and tell the president I am refusing to meet with him.

I was not going to go to president Zuma‚ who had then a reputation with women. I cannot go and hand myself to a man who has a reputation with women on a silver platter.”

South African Airways route to Mumbai

Once back in South Africa, Mentor ended up at the Gupta’s Saxonwold compound.

While in the Gupta mansion, Mentor was wined and dined by her pushy hosts. Former president Jacob Zuma was also expected to arrive at the Saxonwold gathering.

Ajay Gupta eventually cut right to the point; South African Airways’ (SAA) Johannesburg to Mumbai flight route. According to Mentor, Ajay argued that the state-owned enterprise’s turn-around strategy was failing.

That’s when Ajay reportedly bribed Mentor to facilitate the closure of that particular flight path. In return for her assistance, she would be promoted to Minister of Public Enterprises.

When Mentor questioned Ajay’s authority on the matter, the Gupta brother said he could get her the position by putting in a good word with the president.