JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Civil rights body, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), on Monday laid a charge of treason against Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane, for allegedly “actively aiding State capture and causing massive financial loss to South Africa”.
Outa laid charges of treason, corruption, extortion, fraud and theft against Zwane at the Randburg police station in Johannesburg.
Outa alleges that Zwane abused his position to promote the Vrede dairy project, in the Free State, with a company called Estina, which benefited the Gupta family and which cost the Free State province at least R183.95-million.
Outa further alleges that Zwane facilitated the sale of Optimum Coal Holdings’ assets to a company owned by the Guptas and that his department later authorised the release of two mine rehabilitation trust funds linked to those mines.
“Zwane, as a citizen of the Republic of South Africa and Mineral Resources Minister, unquestionably owes his allegiance to the Republic. He intentionally and unlawfully participated in activities which violated, threatened and endangered the existence, independence and security of the Republic,” the affidavit says.