State capture accused sworn in

Several state capture accused have been sworn in as MPs, representing the Mkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP). They include corruption accused former Transnet executives Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama, reports The Citizen. Eight MKP MPs as well as two Economic Freedom Front (EFF) members were sworn-in at Cape Good Hope Chamber in Cape Town last week. Joining Gama and Molefe, former Passenger Rail Agency of SA CEO Lucky Montana, and Mzwanele Manyi will be parliamentary representatives for the MKP. Manyi recently left the EFF, having joined the party last year from the African Transformation Movement. The MKP’s other lawmakers include Thembisile Mjadu, Nompumelelo Gasa, Gezani Kobane, Thulani Gamede and renowned musician Eric Nkovani. Former EFF national spokesperson Sinawo Thambo and former Western Cape MP Nazier Paulsen will also return to the National Assembly, replacing Manyi and the party’s former deputy president Floyd Shivambu. The MKP’s decision to deploy Gama, Molefe and Montana may raise eyebrows due to the controversy that has followed the men during their tenures at state-owned entities. Gama and Molefe are currently facing a corruption case before the Gauteng High Court (Johannesburg). The former Transnet executives have been charged with the contravention of the Public Finance Management Act and fraud, corruption and money laundering. The charges stem from a tender awarded to a McKinsey-led consortium in 2012, resulting in the procurement of 1 064 locomotives valued at more than $3bn.

Full report in The Citizen