By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe, former Prasa CEO Lucky Montana and former Transnet CEO Siyabonga Gama, who were part of the Jacob Zuma’s scandal-ridden administration made a comeback in Parliament after they were sworn in as MPs this afternoon.
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza presided over the ceremony, where the three corruption accused took their oaths and swore to be “faithful to the Republic of South Africa”.
A total of eight people belonging to the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party were sworn in, and two from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The MK party still has seven unfilled seats as it removed 15 MPs.
The MK party’s other MPs include Thembisile Siboniso Mjadu, Nompumelelo Matilda Gasa, Gezani Eric Kobane, Thulani Innocent Gamede and renowned musician Eric “Papa Penny” Nkovani.
Former EFF national spokesperson Sinawo Thambo and former Western Cape MPL Nazier Paulsen will also return to the National Assembly, replacing Jimmy Manyi and the party’s former deputy president Floyd Shivambu.
The MK party’s decision to deploy Molefe, Montana and Gama may raise eyebrows due to the controversy during their tenures at state-owned entities (SOEs).
Molefe has been embroiled in various court cases, and is charged with contravention of the Public Finance Management Act and fraud involving R398.4 million. A trial date is due to be set on 1 October.
Gama was arrested in 2022 facing charges of corruption and money laundering along with three other former Transnet executives.
The State Capture Commission of Inquiry found that Montana was instrumental in determining which service providers would receive major tenders during the state capture era at Prasa. He in turn accused the inquiry of becoming a ‘witch hunt’. He has not been charged.
Chairperson of the commission, outgoing Chief Justice Raymond Zondo had recommended that criminal charges be laid against Montana and other executives over alleged wrongdoing at the rail agency.
The mammoth inquiry into corruption during the presidency of Zuma revealed how almost every arm of the state was suffocated and left bankrupt by leaders of the African National Congress (ANC), which has governed the country since the end of white-minority rule in 1994.
Zuma was ousted in February 2018 under the cloud of mounting corruption allegations and Cyril Ramaphosa, took over, pledging a clean-up.
The sudden and drastic purge has led to allegations of cronyism and internal power struggles. Aggrieved party members have accused Chief whip Sihle Ngubane and Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Sambhudla-Zuma, of orchestrating the ousting of MPs to consolidate their own influence within the party. Sambhudla-Zuma has denied any involvement in the matter.
The axed MPs have approached the Western Cape Division of the High Court, seeking to reverse their recent expulsions from Parliament. Their case will return to court on 3 September.