Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises has started its keenly awaited inquiry into allegations of State capture, with a warning that key witnesses will not be allowed to shy away from appearing before Parliament.

“We have a right to subpoena a witness if we think that witness has critical information. There is no one in South Africa who can say, ‘No, I’m not coming’ when called by the committee,” acting chairperson Zukiswa Rantho said on Tuesday.

The inquiry will focus on alleged high-level corruption and corporate rent-seeking involving billions of rands. It follows revelations in the media and leaked emails about State interference by the Gupta family, as well as allegations set out in former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report on State capture in 2016.

The committee will focus on Eskom to begin with, followed by Transnet and Denel.

Rantho told Engineering News Online that former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe and Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown could be called to appear before the committee as early as next week or the following week.

Government ministers, politicians, former and current Eskom CEOs, board members, executives and managers may be called before the committee.

“We don’t have a specific programme, as some witnesses have withdrawn because they have been intimidated. But we will need to set up measures to ensure they are protected. They need to be here,” said Rantho.

University of Cape Town research professor Anton Eberhard agreed that whistleblowers were nervous.

“Death threats have been made, including to people within Eskom,” he told the committee.

But he also called for transparency.

“We cannot lie down now in the face of a minority that are destroying our public institutions, our economy and the prospect to alleviate poverty.”

Rantho said the hearings would be conducted in two phases and were likely to continue well into next year. She said an initial report-back to Parliament would take place before the end of the current Parliamentary session in November.

The acting chairperson told the committee the inquiry would be “fair and transparent” and “inquisitorial in nature”.

“It’s aimed at finding the facts in governance.” She said “disturbing” reports of alleged State capture would need to be brought out into the open and dealt with.

“The abuse of State resources affects every single South African. The committee is confident we will be able to apply our constitutional duties in the best interests of accountability, without fear or prejudice.”

Many Members of Parliament (MPs) welcomed the probe, with some long-standing MPs saying it was the most important probe in Parliament’s history.

“This is a watershed moment for us,” said Steve Swart of the African Christian Democratic Party.

The African National Congress (ANC) caucus in Parliament issued a statement, saying it was open to the inquiry.

“We assure the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises that they have the full support of the ANC and that they must leave no stone unturned to unearth any wrongdoing at our power utility. We hope this inquiry will be speedily concluded to restore the public trust deficit in our State-owned companies.”