Siphiwe Nyanda, former cabinet minister told the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture today that he met with the Gupta brothers in the presence of former president Jacob Zuma’s son Duduzane Zuma. They introduced themselves and their company, Sahara Computers and indicated a desire to have a private meeting with him.
Under his portfolio as communications minister, Nyanda had oversight over the SABC, Icasa, Films and Publications Board and Brand SA, among others. The Guptas are suspected to have wielded significant influence in the appointment and dismissal of ministers who could further their business interests.
Nyanda’s meeting with the Guptas fell through because he was fired by Zuma during one of the former president’s cabinet reshuffles.
Earlier in the day, former finance minister Trevor Manuel testified that the reshuffle was aimed at replacing reluctant ministers with pliable ones who would work to further the business interests
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