There appears to be movement in the South African scandal of the so-called “State capture” and the infamous Gupta family. According to the on-line “Daily Maverick”, Joel Raphela, the ex-deputy director-general in the Department of Mineral Resources, was placed under arrest, along with two Gupta lieutenants, while a further suspect whose present address was unknown will be charged in absentia. This is in connection with a raid of R1,75 Billion from the trust funds of two of two Mpumalanga mines. Raphela landed in hospital, as he was unable to speak or walk, while the two others were each given bail of R20 000. 

This and all steps against others mentioned in the Zondo Commission report will no doubt be carefully observed by South Africans, in particular the poor township dwellers, who suffer from inadequate service deliveries.

However, not this, but another subject, namely Ukraine was one of the main issues discussed during the same week by President Cyril Ramaphosa and his German visitor Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the latter’s South African visit.  Of course they had to agree to disagree. South Africa was one of 17 African states that abstained during the vote on the UN Resolution denouncing Russia’s attack on Ukraine, which was passed with 141 yes votes, 5 noes and 35 abstentions. While Scholz denounced Russia and spoke of his support of the West’s  sanctions, Ramaphosa rejected these and said that other countries that are spectators or not part of the conflict, would also suffer. He was in favor of solving the conflict by negotiation, using “conflict” not “war”. Understandable, as Ramaphosa had been one of the two leading negotiators that finally led to South Africa’s democratic constitution.He used “conflict” not “war”.  This did not deter the Chancellor from inviting South Africa to the G7 summit next month as one of five guest countries in the Bavarian Elmau.