WRAP: President Cyril Ramaphosa at State Capture – Day 1

It was a rather interesting day at the State Capture Commission on Wednesday, 11 August 2021, where President Cyril Ramaphosa was on the stand – first giving testimony in his capacity as the African National Congress (ANC) president and deputy under Jacob Zuma, which was a continuation of his previous appearance back in April.

Ramaphosa then moved on to testify in his capacity as the president and deputy president of the country, which was also under Zuma. For some, part of Ramaphosa’s answers to the commission gives insight into his role (or lack thereof) as well as the political dynamics that were present at the height of State Capture.

The president also moved to clarify other scandals he has been fingered in, including at Eskom and continued defending the ANC’s contentious cadre deployment policy.

Highlights: President Ramaphosa at State Capture

Cadre deployment: President Cyril Ramaphosa was questioned about the ANC’s cadre deployment committee, which recommended individuals who would serve in key entities and portfolios. As Zuma’s deputy, Ramaphosa served as the chairperson of that committee. One shocker to come out of his testimony was that there had been no minutes from the committee’s meetings from 2012 and 2017.

Ramaphosa wanted to resign as Zuma’s deputy: When Jacob Zuma announced he was replacing Nhlanhla Nene with Des Van Rooyen as Finance Minister in December 2015, Ramaphosa did not agree with the decision and called the ANC’s deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte, threatening to resign.

Ramaphosa recommended Brian Molefe for Eskom post: Another jaw dropper – It was actually Ramaphosa who suggested to Zuma that Molefe take over the reins at the utility, the State Capture Inquiry heard. Molefe is considered a key figure that helped the controversial Gupta family secure lucrative contracts at both Eskom and Transnet, where he also served as CEO. Ramaphosa says he wasn’t aware of Molefe’s links to the Guptas at the time.

Undue interference at Eskom: Both Molefe and another former Eskom CEO Matshela Koko had accused Ramaphosa of meddling in the entity’s affairs, with the aim of benefitting mining company Optimum Holdings, where he was a shareholder. However Ramaphosa has denied the allegations, saying he sold his shares when he went into government.