Making headlines: Public Protector to investigate some #GuptaLeaks claims, Mkhize says Gigaba did nothing wrong in granting Guptas citizenship, And, Zuma to visit Knysna after devastating fires

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I'm Sane Dhlamini

Public Protector to investigate some #GuptaLeaks claims

The Public Protector will conduct a preliminary investigation to determine the merits of some of the allegations that have been published as part of the #GuptaLeaks saga that point to issues at Eskom, Prasa and Transnet.

The Office of Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane said in a statement last night that these allegations point to improper or dishonest acts or offences with respect to public funds at the state-owned enterprises as well as improper or unlawful enrichment by certain public officials at these institutions.

Aside from the #GuptaLeaks, the investigation will also look at the controversial re-appointment of Brian Molefe as head of Eskom.

Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's initial state capture report about alleged improper and unethical conduct by President Jacob Zuma and other state functionaries, relating to the Gupta family, was released last year.

Mkhize says Gigaba did nothing wrong in granting Guptas citizenship

Former home affairs minister Malusi Gigaba did nothing wrong in granting the Gupta family South African citizenship, his successor Hlengiwe Mkhize said yesterday.

Mkhize said that she had looked at all the documentation and she thought if she was in similar position she would have considered the request in a favourable manner.
There was, therefore, no need to investigate the matter further.

The EFF released two letters on Monday that showed that Gigaba, who is now finance minister, irregularly granted the Gupta family citizenship.

Zuma to visit Knysna after devastating fires

President Jacob Zuma will visit the fire-ravaged garden route towns of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay today, his office said.

He will be accompanied by a number of Cabinet and deputy ministers whose departments are part of the massive disaster relief effort that are currently underway.

Last Wednesday, as a fierce storm took hold in the Cape Town area, large parts of Knysna, Brenton-on-Sea, Buffalo Bay and surrounds, and parts of Plettenberg Bay, went up in flames.

Nearly 10 000 people were evacuated and seven people died in at least 22 fires. Over 1 000 firefighters eventually brought them under control.

Also making headlines:

Phosa donates spy case money to Cape Town storm victims

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That’s a roundup of news making headlines today