South Africa: Zuma Abused His Powers By Enriching Guptas' Media Empire Via SABC, Inquiry Finds

analysis

The SABC lost money through the business dealings. The State Capture inquiry has estimated that the SABC lost R4.3m due to its involvement in The New Age newspaper's business breakfast briefings. The inquiry has recommended that the amount should be recovered from any assets belonging to The New Age newspaper or any assets held by the members of the Gupta family.

The final section of the State Capture inquiry report has placed former president Jacob Zuma at the centre of a scheme to enrich the Gupta family's media empire through its sullied business dealings with the SABC that have cost the state-owned broadcaster millions of rands.

Zuma was found to have been instrumental in helping members of the Gupta family to launch their media companies, ANN7 television channel and The New Age newspaper, in 2010 and abusing his powers to channel lucrative contracts to the companies, helping them to be financially viable. The inquiry also heard during various testimonies that Zuma was actively involved in the editorial direction of ANN7 and The New Age newspaper.

And because of his unusual involvement in the media companies, while also being South Africa's president, the State Capture inquiry has found that "there can...

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