Mantashe fired employee for allowing state capture investigator onto his farm

Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe, who is also the national chairperson of the governing ANC, along with his wife, Nolwandle, dismissed one of their employees for allowing the investigator of the commission of inquiry into state capture, Patrick Mlambo, on to their property in Elliot, Eastern Cape.

Mlambo says he also received a call from Mr Mantashe who extended his unhappiness about the visit to his property without his permission. Mantashe added that they decided to fire the lady that allowed him at the Eliot property. #StateCaptureInquiry

— State Capture Commission (@StateCaptureCom) April 2, 2019

On Tuesday, Mlambo concluded his second day of testimony on his site visits to confirm security installations allegedly done by Bosasa at the properties of high ranking officials.

These include Mantashe, former SAA board chairperson Dudu Myeni, and former prisons boss Linda Mti.

In January, the commission heard testimony from Richard le Roux, an employee of a Bosasa subsidiary, GTS (formerly known as Sondolo IT), about how a Bosasa special projects team did security installations at the properties of Mantashe, Myeni, Mti, and other high-ranking officials.

READ MORE: Bosasa gave Mokonyane, Myeni, Mantashe and more home makeovers

During his two day testimony, Mlambo told the commission that le Roux had accompanied him on his site inspections, however, the Bosasa employee would not enter any of the properties so as to not influence the investigator in any way.

Mlambo added that Le Roux would list the security features installed by the Bosasa special projects team ahead of their arrival at any of the properties to be inspected.

The investigator further told the commission that after his inspection of the Mantashe’s property he received calls from both husband and wife who expressed their unhappiness for his visit without their permission.

Mlambo says on the 20 February 2019 he received a call from someone who identified herself as Mrs Mantashe accusing him for visiting her property without her permission. #StateCaptureInquiry

— State Capture Commission (@StateCaptureCom) April 2, 2019

During his inspection, Mlambo was able to identify security features Le Roux said had been installed by Bosasa’s special projects team, which are CCTV cameras and monitors.

Mlambo speaks about the inspection done at the property of Mr Gwede Mantashe in Eliott, Eastern Cape.
He says during the inspection he managed to identify CCTV cameras and Monitors as indicated by Richard le Roux. #StateCaptureInquiry

— State Capture Commission (@StateCaptureCom) April 2, 2019

Following the inspection at Mantashe’s property, Mlambo obtained invoices from Intaba Lodge in Elliot where the Bosasa special projects team booked accommodation during the installation of the security features at the ANC’s national chair’s property.

Mlambo says subsequent to the inspection at Mantashe's property they sourced invoices from the lodge where the Special projects was accommodated. #StateCaptureInquiry

— State Capture Commission (@StateCaptureCom) April 2, 2019

Mlambo says they inspected another property belonging to Mr Mantashe in Cala, Eastern Cape on the 19th Feb 2019. #StateCaptureInquiry

— State Capture Commission (@StateCaptureCom) April 2, 2019

Mlambo says on his arrival the equipments that le Roux told him about were visible from outside. At this property they were able to identity the CCTV Cameras and LED lights. #StateCaptureInquiry

— State Capture Commission (@StateCaptureCom) April 2, 2019

The commission has adjourned until Friday, April 5.

(Compiled by Makhosandile Zulu)

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