Zuma’s state-capture buddies now MK party MPs

By Zukile Majova
Political Editor

Key figures from South Africa’s state-capture era, who were close to former president Jacob Zuma, have come together again as MPs under the MK party. 

The MPs include former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe, former Prasa CEO Lucky Montana, former Transnet CEO Siyabonga Gama, and Mzwanele Manyi, who took over the Gupta brothers’ media company.

The move shows that those involved in state capture during Zuma’s presidency are coming together to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government of national unity (GNU). 

The state-capture project, which involved looting state-owned companies like Eskom, Prasa, and Transnet, is estimated to have cost the country over R1.5-trillion.

Zuma’s MK party won over 15% of the vote in the last elections, securing 58 parliamentary seats. Recently, Zuma replaced 18 MK party MPs with his close allies from the state-capture era.

Molefe is currently facing charges of fraud and corruption involving R398-million, while Gama and three other former Transnet executives were arrested in 2022 on corruption and money laundering charges. 

Although Montana was accused of mismanaging Prasa, he has not been charged.

These Zuma allies were among eight MK party MPs sworn into parliament on Wednesday. Other new MK party MPs include Thembisile Mjadu, Nompumelelo Gasa, Gezani Kobane, and Thulani Gamede.

Last week, Zuma said in a media briefing that the MK party would send experienced people to parliament to hold the Ramaphosa government accountable. 

As the largest party outside the GNU, MK is now the official opposition in parliament and a major force in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature.

Pictured above: The Zuma posse of Lucky Montana, Brian Molefe, John Hlophe, Siyabonga Gama and Jimmy Manyi. 

Source: X