Gupta associates allegedly ‘drafted’ Ben Ngubane’s first speech, #GuptaLeaks reveal

In what may appear to be the first hoard of concrete evidence implicating the Guptas – President Jacob Zuma’s close friends – in the alleged capture of state-owned entities, it emerged on Friday that the controversial family’s associates and business partners allegedly drafted the first public statement released by Ben Ngubane when he was appointed acting chairperson of Eskom two years ago.

The revelations contained in a trove of explosive emails between the Guptas and their associates, revealed this week, reportedly show that former Oakbay chief executive Nazeem Howa on March 31 emailed the family’s infamous associate, Salim Essa, with a statement apparently attributed to Ngubane, Business Day reported.

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The document attached is said to have stated: “Statement by Dr Ben Ngubane, Chairperson of Eskom on behalf of the board.”

At the time, Ngubane was announcing the resignation of his predecessor, Zola Tsotsi, from the power utility’s board following his handling of the suspension of four senior Eskom executives in March 2015.

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