The Citizen reports that former director-general (DG) of the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), Dr Thibedi Ramontja, told the commission of inquiry into state capture on Thursday that one of the advisors of former minister of mineral resources Mosebenzi Zwane instructed him to tender his resignation within 20 minutes.  

Ramontja said he was saddened at his departure, which was not caused by the government but by Zwane’s advisors, including Kuben Moodley.  The advisors also included Malcolm Mabaso and Zarina Kellermann.  Ramontja added that they ran the department – something that was not standard practice.  Ramontja also told the commission that he felt he was operating in an environment shrouded in secrecy when Zwane and his advisors arrived at the department.  Ramontja said that on the day he was instructed to tender his resignation, he was called to Zwane’s office.  Upon arrival, he was asked into Mabaso’s office, adjacent to the minister’s office, where Mabaso told him that Zwane wanted him, Ramontja, to step down and tender his resignation within 20 minutes.  He said though he was well aware of his rights and could have objected to the instruction, he told himself that it was good riddance for him.

• Read the full original of Makhosandile Zulu’s report on the above story at The Citizen

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