Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has claimed that there is a “new state capture” going on.
He was speaking at a press briefing on Thursday on the EFF’s National People’s Assembly scheduled for 13-16 December at Nasrec, Johannesburg.
He claimed that Public Enterprises Minister is overseeing an agenda of “minorities” to privatise state-owned enterprises (SOEs).
‘Pravin will be Cyril’s downfall’
Malema said, “The downfall of [President Cyril Ramaphosa] will be Pravin Gordhan, who is a prime minister of this country with a clear purpose and programme – remove black African managers, replace them with minorities, and the mandate of the minorities is to privatise all SOEs.”
The EFF leader claimed that Gordhan is delaying the appointment of a new Transnet CEO because his preferred candidate did not make the shortlist.
He further claimed that former South African Airways CEO Vuyani Jarana resigned because of Gordhan’s alleged interference in the running of the airline.
Malema alleged that SAA is being deliberately “dismantled” so that the donors to the Ramaphosa’s CR17 campaign can benefit from its privatisation.
‘Pure state capture’
He said, “You think a person can put R1 billion in a campaign and not expect to be paid back? They want their investment back.
“This is an open, pure state capture happening right in front of our eyes, but because it is being done by whites, with the assistance of some few Indians, it’s acceptable.”
Malema also criticised the appointment of Andre de Ruyter as Eskom CEO, claiming his record at Nampak shows he’s not pro-transformation.
However, Gordhan defended the appointment while delivering an address to the American Chamber of Commerce South Africa on Wednesday evening.
He referred to de Ruyter as an experienced and patriotic South African, adding, “He’s a reflection of the principle of non-racialism in our society, and that appointment… doesn’t mean that black professionals are being marginalised.”
Speaking during his meeting with the Black Business Council on Thursday, Ramaphosa also said de Ruyter’s appointment is an important step towards restoring stability at Eskom.