Outrage as Brian Molefe Reportedly Headed to Zuma’s “Dumping Ground” – Parliament

South Africans have reacted with outrage at rumours reported in the Sunday Times today that disgraced ex-Eskom CEO Brian Molefe is set to be sworn in as a Member of Parliament (MP) after the Opening of Parliament on 9 February 2017.

DA (Democratic Alliance) Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises, Natasha Mazzone MP, said Parliament should not be a “dumping ground for Zuma’s yes men”.

She said: “Following the ANC modus operandi of shuffling loyal cadres around leadership positions in South Africa’s State Owned Entities, allowing them to earn extravagant “thank you for your obedience” bonuses, this is a step too far.”

The Sunday Times revealed today that the ANC in the North West has requested Molefe be added to the list of ANC members it sends to parliament, which would make him eligible to become an MP.

Molefe, who was also former CEO of Transnet, was alleged to be at the centre of ‘State Capture’ in the Public Protectors “State of Capture” report… leading to the very popular #SaxonwoldShebeen memes and jokes, after he claimed – during a press conference in which he appeared to cry – that the reason his GPS records showed he was in the vicinity of the Gupta Family estate was because there was a shebeen in the suburb. 

The DA said Sunday that Molefe is “simply not fit to hold office in parliament” and that they have laid criminal charges against him for the roles he is alleged to have played in State Capture. Further reports emerged last week involving locomotives that were purchased by Transnet which are allegedly highly problematic.

“This will just add to the number of scandals Molefe has under his belt while holding the most senior positions in SOE’s,” said Mazzone. 

Molefe was found to have had 58 telephone interactions with Ajay Gupta between August 2015 and March 2016. 

Mazzone concluded: “The South African public must be able to have full faith in those who run and manage its SOEs, but most importantly, in the MPs who represent them in Parliament. Parliament cannot be a dumping ground nor a thank-you playground for the failed and caught out, but loyal Zuma yes men!”