Former SAA boss’ shock claims of Gupta bribes involving Zuma, Magashule

Former South African Airways (SAA) chairman and chief executive Vuyisile Kona has told the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture that the controversial Gupta family offered him a bribe of half a million rand to rig a consultancy contract.

In explosive testimony on Tuesday, Kona recalled a meeting with the Guptas, at the centre of a rent-seeking scandal, at their Saxonwold home in October 2012, news and information website Independent Online reported.

The talks revolved around a consulting contract to draft a new business plan for the struggling national carrier, which at that stage required another government bailout and has since been placed under business rescue. Kona said he had tenders from Lufthansa Consultancy, for R6 million, and another from McKinsey and Company, for R40 million.

Lufthansa was clearly the more affordable option, he said.

Magashule, Duduzane Zuma present during alleged Gupta meeting

Kona told the Zondo Commission those present included the sons of former president Jacob Zuma and former Free State premier Ace Magashule, Duduzane Zuma and Tshepiso Magashule, then finance minister Malusi Gigaba’s adviser Siyabonga Mahlangu and Tony Gupta.

He said he was taken aback to be offered R100,000 by the Guptas and declined the money.

“Then the conversation comes to the issue of the business plan.Tony first said he was welcoming me into the family. He said we know you have not been paid and he offered me R100,000. Indeed I had not been paid my September salary,” Kona testified.

“He then said he could offer me R500,000. I told him I (did) not need the money. His expression changed and he was like, ‘What is the story with the consulting contract?’”

“Their money was there in cash. I started feeling uncomfortable with the whole thing. Nobody is going to give you that much money for nothing,” Kona told the Zondo Commission.

Guptas ‘livid’

He said the Gupta’s manner hardened and he bluntly asked who was getting the consulting contract. Kona replied that it had been awarded to Lufthansa.

He described Gupta’s response as “livid” and said the meeting ended abruptly. Following that, Kona added, he was treated harshly by fellow board members and government officials.

McKinsey in 2018 apologised for allowing itself to become embroiled in the state capture scandal, which saw billions of rand fleeced from state-owned enterprises.

By African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa