The State Capture-themed event, hosted by the Institute of Commercial Forensic Practitioners (ICFP) at the André Huguenet Theatre in Bloemfontein, forms a part of International Fraud Awareness Week which takes place annually from 15-21 November. 

The panellists include well-known forensic investigator, Jacques van Wyk, who will chair the event; alongside OFM News Manager, Cathy Dlodlo; former Free State MEC, Sekhopi Malebo, and ICFP Executive Manager; Chris de Beer. Van Wyk tells OFM News the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (Pacofs) is the second partner to the Thursday discussion.

“Given the recent events at the Zondo Commission and also the arrests and court cases in the Free State, it is very relevant,” says Van Wyk. He says the panellists will question Myburgh on his experience as an investigative journalist in an effort to gain insight into his process and the dangers faced.

Due to coronavirus regulations, only 100 people can attend the event. De Beer says members of the public who are interested in attending the morning event which begins at 08:30 am, must book their place on the ICFP website. There is a registration form where they can fill in their details and reserve a spot.

This isn’t the first time that Myburgh has sat on a panel dissecting the book. In May 2019, The Daily Maverick journalist was the centre of attention at a book launch held at the University of the Free State’s Bloemfontein campus, amidst safety concerns.

Amongst those in the audience, was Chartered Accountant and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of forensic auditing firm, Open Water, Peet Pietersen.  The CEO complained to OFM News after the event that those who wanted to take Myburgh on regarding allegations made in the book were at a disadvantage during the discussion, because they were not a part of the panel and all they could do was ask a question during the Q & A session.

Open Water was frequently appointed by former Free State Premier Ace Magashule’s administration to investigate allegations of corruption outlined in Myburgh’s book, as well as others. It’s alleged the firm, under the leadership of Pieterse and his partner Reavel Nkondo, swept corrupt dealings under the carpet and were even referred to as Magashule’s “cleaners” locally. 

The irate CEO, who carried a large bag filled with documents to the venue of the launch – at The Odeion - felt he wasn’t given the chance to tell his side of the story, despite being quoted in the book. “You get bullied from the stage by journalists who say they have the interest of fairness and the truth at heart, we saw it’s not so”. He said he wanted to face Myburgh but was denied the chance of doing so properly. The Daily Maverick investigative journalist, on the other hand, says Pieterse was given a right of reply.

As already mentioned by Van Wyk, eight people including the ANC Secretary-General and former Free State Premier, Ace Magasule, were arrested in connection with the aforementioned R255 million asbestos audit deal. Magashule’s co-accused, include the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Johannesburg-based Blackhead Consulting, Edwin Sodi, former head of the Free State Human Settlements Department Nthimotse Mokhesi;  businessman Sello Radebe; the former Director-General (DG) of the National Human Settlements Department Thabane Zulu; and former Mangaung Metro Mayor Olly Mlamleli, amongst others.

Sodi was awarded the R255 million worth tender by the Provincial Human Settlements Department in a joint venture with Diamond Hill Trading, owned by slain Welkom businessman Igo Mpambani. The deal is at the heart of Myburgh’s book Gangster State: Unravelling Ace Magashule's Web of Capture. Sodi went on to admit at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture that he failed to declare that his company had no accreditation to carry out the entire project.

OFM News