Khulubuse Zuma with his uncle President Jacob Zuma — PICTURE: THEMBINKOSI DWAYISAI
Just like the emperors, President Jacob Zuma believes in the concentration of public wealth and resources in the hands of an imperial leader. And like them, our president is hell-bent on creating a powerful dynasty that has a stake in all major industries.
Zuma is creating a dynastic empire whose mission is to guarantee eternal prosperity for his family. The evolution of any empire is always preceded by the creation of a dynasty and the material conditions for its empowerment.
Before 2009, Zuma’s family members were not involved in major business.
In September 2009, Zuma travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to meet his counterpart, Joseph Kabila.
They discussed mining, mineral exploration and stability in the DRC. Kabila then “drew Zuma’s attention to the rich oilfields in the Eastern Congo”.
“Six months later (March 2010) Khulubuse Zuma set up two companies in the British Virgin Islands, Caprikat and Foxwhelp, and Kabila took over two oilfields [in the DRC] from Tullow Oil and instead allocated them to Khulubuse for the payment of a mere $6-million (R92.4-million), although the two oilfields were valued at about $10-billion (R154-billion). Khulubuse is also reported to have acquired large mining and construction interests in the DRC,”, writes RW Johnson in his book How Long Will South Africa Survive? The Looming Crisis.
In 2009 Khulubuse and Nelson Mandela’s grandson Zondwa became directors of Aurora Empowerment Systems. Before the end of 2009, Aurora was mysteriously appointed by Pamodzi liquidators to manage the Pamodzi mines in Springs and Orkney.
By 2011, those mines were stripped and looted. About 800 Aurora miners were left high and dry.
President Zuma’s son, Duduzane is another key player in the Zuma empire. Duduzane is raking in millions if not billions of rands in the mining and construction industries.
Duduzane and Rajesh Gupta are listed as directors of Mabengela Investments, which has a huge shareholding in Tegeta Exploration and Resources.
Last year Tegeta acquired, under dubious circumstances, a R4-billion coal contract from Eskom. The Tegeta group recently bought Optimum Coal, adding three more Eskom coal contracts to their (Tegeta’s) acquisitions.
The ANC’s mission of “creating a better life for all” cannot coexist with Zuma’s brazen economic empowerment of his friends and family.
President Zuma does as he wishes because he no longer cares about the prospects and wellbeing of this country. He has turned the finances and resources of SA into his own personal property. These are the worst of times for South Africa. And it is only the brave and courageous in the ANC that can put a stop to this president.
Masoga is a political analyst
This article first appeared in Sowetan