The Best of the Breakfast Show with Xolani Gwala

Jason Jordan, who is the principal forensic scientist at DFIR Labs, says Lynn Brown in her capacity as Minister of Public Enterprises has the power to refer this proclamation to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). and that the state president will decide on the extent of the investigation. He also stated that the SIU is the only agency in SA that has civil litigation powers.

Xolani speaks to SACP General secretary Blade Nzimande who spoke to me about his passionate speech at the Cosatu meeting yesterday.

He reiterated that his speech comes during a time of need for a more militant Cosatu  to stand up to correct some of the issues that concern the alliance partners.

Most significantly, Nzimande compared Zuma’s regime to Thabo Mbeki’s, noting a lack consultation and tendency to centralise power in the government that they did not like about the leadership style of Mbeki.

Xolani speaks to CEO of  ForGood.co.za  Andy Hadfield who  spoke about the  child protection campaign that they have on their website, where there are over 25 opportunities that people can use to get involved in line with Child Protection Week  from early childhood development to matric.

Xolani speaks to Political Analyst Aubrey Matshiqi  who gave an understanding that   the ANC of a decade ago looked a lot different to the ANC of present day. Present day ANC sees a misalignment between externally and internally variables, which may see ANC lose at the polls based on what what’s going on internally.

Xolani speaks to Gupta family lawyer Gert van der Merwe who confirmed that his clients were contacted his clients but didn’t give them enough time to respond. He said that they are waiting for the newspapers to give them the documents so that he can examine them – to verify authenticity and how they got to the journalist. the reports relied on undisclosed documents and assumptions of impropriety resulting in a clear intention to influence political perception. Only after investigating this would he be able to comment.

Xolani speaks to ANC Stalwart Frank Chikane said Rev Frank Chikane said that the leadership crisis in the country, expected the NEC (highest decision-maker) to change the trajectory that is destroying the movement and that they need to deal with the challenges the organisation is facing at the NEC meeting. Then political analyst Prof. Somadoda Fikeni explained that he doesn’t think they will be able to avoid talking about the issues the stalwarts raised in the NEC. They may not succeed however and perhaps have a shot at forcing the hand of the ANC to accept the report into state capture.

Xolani speaks to Prof  Ivor Chipkin Executive Director at Public Affairs research institute who engaged on people coming forward with stories . from various sectors including the media and court reports. The aim he said was to join the dots  and what they found was quite profound -around corruption and criminality regarding the Gupta’s .

Xolani speaks to Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane about her reluctance to deal with the state capture report. She  did  reiterate her Disappointed with what happened at Eskom.. but she said vehemently she will not be taking on the matter, as it is part of the State of Capture report – which will be reviewed in a hearing in October. She also says that this matter is taken up by Parliament.

Xolani speaks to Acting committee chairperson of parliaments Public enterprise  Zukiswa Rantho who  she still believed Molefe’s reappointment was illegal. She said they felt like the Eskom board and Minister Lynne Brown’s answers were unsatisfactory and that  didn’t want to give parliament the full story of what happened. They knew what they have done is wrong.

Xolani speaks to City power spokesperson Virgil James responded to the story I read earlier on the impact of ongoing power outages on small business and other residents. James sympathized with to business owners and residents and said that where possible they are providing generators to businesses, while they are in the process of repairs.