Are we finally moving in the right direction and holding those responsible for State Capture to account with the recent arrests of Gupta associates by the investigative directorate of the national prosecuting authority?
On Wednesday, former Tegeta Exploration and Resources director Ronica Ragavan, a former trustee of Optimum Coal Mine Pushpaveni Govender and former deputy director-general in the department of mineral resources Joel Raphela appeared in court.
They stand accused of fraud, forgery, uttering, perjury and money laundering of R107.5m for mine rehabilitation funds for the Optimum Coal Mine Trust account and Koornfontein Mine Trust account in 2016.
The speed at which the NPA moved on the Gupta allies is to be commended and there is renewed hope among South Africans that there are more arrests to come. The Sunday Times Daily writes good work has been done following the firing of the opening salvo from the ID but now it should focus its attention on those higher up in the “political food chain.”
Political commentator Justice Malala writes that now is not the time to waiver as those implicated will use every dirty tactic in the trick book to slander people like chief justice Raymond Zondo for the sterling work he did as head of the State Capture Commission.
But Mpumelelo Mkhabela argues there cannot be cause for celebration just yet and rather a sober reflection and analysis of what the political implications and ramifications are for those arrested and those who the NPA goes after next.
Here’s a round-up of what we’re reading:
‘Stephen Grootes’s spurious attack disguised as objective criticism is gutter journalism’ – Daily Maverick
SAM MKOKELI: Behind the battle to be Cyril’s number two – Financial Mail
EDITORIAL: Battling consumers make Pick n Pay move a no-brainer – Business Day (for subscribers)
Serjeant at the Bar | Gama, Wood arrests: NPA springs into action, but is it ready? – News24 (for subscribers)
Gun control: Bheki Cele shot himself in the foot – The Citizen (for subscribers)
BUSISIWE MAVUSO: Upgraded credit rating by S&P Global boosts SA’s allure to investors – Business Day (for subscribers)
