Durban – Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane has again denied flying to Switzerland with the Guptas to facilitate the sale of the Optimum mine to a company owned by the Guptas and Duduzane Zuma.
Responding to a parliamentary question from Anton Alberts of the Freedom Front Plus, Zwane said he had gone on the trip accompanied by an official from his department.
“I did not facilitate any transaction. I went there to promote mining and address company issues relating to the investment climate in the country in general, and to mitigate imminent retrenchment,” he said.
Zwane also denied that he had any direct or indirect interests in Oakbay or Optimum mines.
Zwane’s response was despite information in leaked documents and e-mails that he had travelled to Switzerland with the Guptas and their associates in their private jet.
Reports indicated that he had been booked into a five-star hotel paid for by a Gupta company, Sahara computers, and that he had been chauffeured around in a BMW7 Series motor vehicle.
When he was asked about having travelled to Switzerland, Zwane stated that he had gone there on an official trip.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet noted media reports on the “leaked e-mails” which implicated ministers, government officials and other persons in criminal wrongdoing.
Briefing the media following a Cabinet meeting, Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo said the Cabinet was committed to good governance and viewed all persons innocent until proven guilty.
“Cabinet urges all who have information about any wrongdoing by government officials or ministers to inform law enforcement agencies so that investigations can be undertaken,” Dlodlo said.
She said some cases had been opened and the police had undertaken to investigate.
Last week, the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation announced it had launched a probe into the leaked Gupta e-mails.
“All who are affected by the e-mails are urged to co-operate with the law enforcement agencies,” Dlodlo added.
However, she did not say whether there would be an inquiry into the leaks as the ANC had called for: “What the Cabinet discussed was a statement that needed to be issued to disclose that the president has rebutted some of the things that have been leaked."
“We have not looked at whether or not these e-mails are fake or real,” she said.