How Thuli Madonsela allegedly helped Jacob Zuma's rise to the top

Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has been the thorn in Jacob Zuma's side for quite some time now. During her time in office, she compiled the damning reports into state capture and Nkandla which effectively obliterated Msholozi's reputation.

Yet, according to a report in the Sunday Times, things weren't always so frosty between the pair. The publication details that SACP Deputy General Secretary Solly Mapaila is next up at the state capture inquiry, and it would seem he has a large amount of tea to spill.

Thuli Madonsela said to have advised Jacob Zuma Mapaila is allegedly ready to lift the lid on the so-called engine room he was a part of, which was formed to help prepare Jacob Zuma for the presidency shortly after he secured the ANC leadership nomination at the 2007 Polokwane conference.

The group was made up of political professionals and strategic consultants, who shared their advice on policy direction and the ANC's mandate. Madonsela was apparently one of the kingpins of the operation, but with this being Jacob Zuma, things didn't exactly go to plan.

Things went south It wasn't long before members of the engine room were gazumped by the man who would be president. According to Mapaila, JZ ignored certain directives from the think-tank: Against their recommendations, Zuma refused to merge the National Planning Commission with the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation.

By the time our team was established, President Jacob Zuma had established this team in secret without informing alliance leadership and they had already done some work.

When we go to the commission we will illustrate our point of view that this is how capture happened even before Zuma became president. Policymaking shifted from the ANC to an unknown secret system.

Solly Mapaila It's worth noting that no-one involved with the group including Madonsela is accused of any involvement with the corruption that came to characterise Zuma's time at the top. The SACP representative is, however, aiming to prove that the son of KZN had a penchant for using external officials to do government work.

Mapaila takes to the stand on Monday morning.

Tags: Jacob ZumaSouth AfricaThuli Madonsela

LINK:	https://www.thesouthafrican.com/thuli-madonsela-jacob-zuma-engine-room...
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