Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

Finally, I turn to Mr Koko’s allegation that I improperly interfered to procure his dismissal from Eskom in January 2018.   As I detail in my statement to the Commission, Eskom was in a severe crisis at the time. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

I had no interest in, nor any opportunity to, influence Eskom’s decision-making process in matters pertaining to Optimum. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

Fourth, as is evident from the documents provided to the Commission with my statement, the Eskom technical war room was not involved in Eskom management or operational issues. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

Third, by the time President Zuma assigned certain Eskom-related matters to me in December 2014, I had disposed of my shareholding in Optimum Holdings and had no other business interests in mining or energy. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

Second, as non-executive chairperson of Optimum Holdings, I was not involved in operational matters of subsidiary companies, including contractual matters between Eskom and Optimum Mine. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

In response to the allegations made on this matter, it is necessary to make the following points:   First, my acquisition of shares in Optimum Holdings was a straightforward commercial transaction, done in accordance with regulations of the JSE. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

The Technical War Room was under the day-to-day direction of Deputy Ministers of relevant departments and comprised representatives of Eskom and relevant departments.   I was not a member of the Technical War Room. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

This IMC exercised political responsibility for the Eskom technical war room, which was set up to support the implementation of the Five-Point Action Plan adopted by Cabinet to address the electricity constraints. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

Only recently have we started to truly make progress on the challenges that SAA, Eskom and other SOEs face.   As part of this responsibility, I chaired an Inter-Ministerial Committee on resolving the country’s severe energy constraints. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

I was asked to give,guidance and direction to existing governance structures,  focusing on the unique challenges of each structure.   As is apparent now, this work required collective commitment by all governance structures, and was a long term endeavour. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

I had no further involvement or interest in Optimum after that point.   In December 2014, President Zuma assigned me responsibility to oversee efforts to turnaround several SOEs that were in dire straits. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

As part of this process, on 6 June 2013, I resigned as a director of Optimum Holdings, and on 22 May 2014, I disposed of my shareholding Optimum Holdings ahead of my appointment as Deputy President of the Republic. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

I had no operational involvement in Optimum Holdings or Optimum Mine.   Following my election as ANC Deputy President in December 2012, I initiated a review of my business interests to avoid potential conflicts. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

While I was in business, I participated in a consortium with Glencore in the acquisition of Optimum Holding, which acquisition was concluded in June 2012.   I acquired an effective 9.64% shareholding in Optimum Holdings and became non-executive chairperson of Optimum Holdings. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

This relates to allegations made by Mr Brian Molefe and Mr Matshela Koko in relation to the stake that I held in the Optimum Mine prior to my entry into government and my later responsibilities with respect to the Eskom war room. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

There is one particular issue on which I wish to comment now since it has received widespread attention and is easily disposed of. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

Chairperson,   The Commission has asked me to address several other matters, including allegations made by witnesses before the Commission. These are addressed in detail in the statement that I have submitted to the Commission. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

Further sections will be commencing this year, such as the requirement that families of public servants declare their financial interests. Legislation meant to entrench greater checks and balances in public procurement is in the pipeline and will be finalised as soon as possible. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

These include the prohibition on all public service employees conducting business with the state, the development of norms and standards of integrity, ethics and discipline in the public service, and the establishment of the Office of Standards and Compliance. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

Critical sections of the Public Administration Management Act of 2014 have now commenced. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

Another set of powerful measures to prevent corruption and state capture include changes to the way in which the public service is managed. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

This is a significant step in the fight against state capture as it targets the perpetrators of fraud and theft of public money, the persons who violate the laws meant to ensure effective, efficient and fair use of public funds. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

The amendment to the Public Audit Act has granted the Auditor-General significant powers to secure consequence management where public funds are misused. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

Legislative changes have been made, and others are underway, to fight corruption and reduce the likelihood of a recurrence of state capture. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

The Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum, which was launched in September 2019, is a critical element of our fight against corruption because the health sector is uniquely vulnerable to corruption. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

The National Anti-Corruption Strategy, which was developed together with representatives from business, trade unions, academia and civil society, was approved by Cabinet in November 2020. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

We are working to ensure the rigorous implementation of controls over the use of public money as the best way to protect the abuse of those funds. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

This includes a clear delineation of authority and responsibility between elected public officials, non-executive directors and executive leadership. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

We are implementing standard guidelines on the appointment and remuneration of SOE boards and executives that prioritise the recruitment and retention of appropriate skills, experience and competencies. — PolitiTweet.org

Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa

Effective ownership will become more centralised to enable greater transparency, accountability and oversight, and subject all strategic SOEs to more rigorous requirements for financial and operational performance. — PolitiTweet.org