Advisory group Trillian Capital Partners has appointed Advocate Geoff Budlender to lead an inquiry into the company regarding allegations of corruption, announced nonexecutive chairperson Tokyo Sexwale on Friday.
This follows a Sunday Times article published last week alleging that a member or members of Trillian had pre-knowledge that President Jacob Zuma would replace former Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene with current Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des van Rooyen in December last year.
Speaking at a press conference at Trillian’s offices in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, Sexwale noted that Budlender had “leeway to deal with these matters and [was] free to work with any of the country's law enforcement agencies, including the Public Protector.”
He added that Budlender would investigate whether members of the Gupta family had ownership in the company and would also look at whether Trillian CEO Eric Wood had prior knowledge of the dismissal and appointment of Nene.
“He will also be investigating corporate governance within Trillian and related parties and find out if any of the country’s laws have been violated,” said Sexwale, adding that corruption was “threatening the body and soul of this country and should not be allowed to corrode the fabric of society”.
“We should all be seen to be resolute in fighting the scourge,” he concluded.