Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
phumla williamslatest news & developments
President Cyril Ramaphosa accompanied by his former spokesperson Khusela Diko. (Elmond Jiyane/GCIS)

SIU alerts presidency to Khusela Diko’s alleged R1mn Digital Vibes payout

The SIU has sent a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office informing it of alleged corruption by his former spokesperson

President Cyril Ramaphosa accompanied by his former spokesperson Khusela Diko. (Elmond Jiyane/GCIS)

Wanted: A new spindoctor for Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa is said to be looking for someone who can bridge the gap between his office and the media.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has sought to debunk claims made against it by former Gauteng health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku, calling his words misleading. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Former GP health MEC Masuku calls disciplinary ‘unfair’

The ANC’s disciplinary hearing against Dr Bandile Masuku has started; however, the matter against Khusela Diko has been shelved after her husband’s death

Khusela Diko, now suspended, earned a cushy salary during her ‘special leave’

The presidency confirms spokesperson Khusela Diko has been suspended; meanwhile, her full salary was paid while she was on ‘special leave’

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga.

Still no plan for schools to go back

Learners and teachers are keen to get back to class as government tries to find a workable solution

South Africa alone has registered more than 3 600 of its citizens who want to return home. (GCIS)

South Africans from Wuhan quarantine group safe to go home

After testing negative for Covid-19, 112 South Africans quarantined in Limpopo can now go home

Parental pleas: Anxious parents of children studying in Wuhan, China, at a meeting in Thaba Nchu a fortnight ago. They still do not know when their children will be returning home. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

No SANDF crew to send to Wuhan

Insiders says that no one is willing to make the daunting journey to rescue fellow citizens

‘Ms Williams was telling us about how she was being tortured and mistreated. Hearing about her situation, I put myself in her shoes. If it was me, how would I handle I that?’ (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Slice of life: ‘It means there is no love’

‘If you are a human being, a human being in South Africa, and you see a black person like you, doing that to you, what does it mean?’

“I differ with Ms Williams on a number of things, but on this one, we are together,” Manyi says. (Thapelo Morebudi/Sowetan)

‘Williams defended The New Age’ — Manyi

During his testimony, Mzwanele Manyi told the commission that Williams had changed her position on the controversial business breakfast briefings

Former GCIS head, Mzwanele Manyi. (David Harrison/M&G)

#StateCaptureInquiry: Manyi’s back

Former head of GCIS Mzwanele Manyi will testify before the Zondo commission on Monday

In addition to implicating Williams, Manyi was at pains to distance himself from alleged irregularities, emphasising several times that they had happened before he came on board. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Manyi says corruption happened under Phumla Williams’ watch

Former GCIS CEO Mzwanele Manyi testified before the state capture commission on Wednesday in an unexpected turn of events

Phumla Williams during her testimony before the state capture commission. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

Corruption case opened against GCIS’ Phumla Williams

​The former head of government communications, Donald Liphoko, has opened a corruption case against the agency’s acting chief executive

Tabane was suspended from the radio station after he dedicated the introduction of his show to apologising to William. (Oresego Holdings)

‘Tabane used station to air personal state capture links’ – Power FM

Power FM has confirmed the indefinite suspension of JJ Tabane, following the radio host’s apology to Zondo commission witness Phumla Williams

As the chair of the commission, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is also expected to make a decision whether or not attach conditions to leave to cross-examine. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

#StateCaptureInquiry: Zondo to hear applications to cross-examine

On Monday it was confirmed that Gupta patriarch, Ajay and his brother, Rajesh, had applied for leave to cross-examine witnesses

Phumla Williams. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

#StateCaptureInquiry: ‘Muthambi wanted to steal at all costs’ — Williams

Williams told the commission that she believed Muthambi had attempted to create the conditions at GCIS in which procurement processes could be flouted

“My understanding of the PFMA is that the minister does not get involved in the running of the department. That in itself was odd to me,” Williams told the commission on Monday. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

‘Muthambi wanted me out’ — Phumla Williams

Williams recounted how tensions between herself and Faith Muthambi came to a head when her position as acting GCIS director general was withdrawn

Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo at the commission’s first public hearing on state capture and corruption. (Gulshan Khan/AFP)

#StateCapture: Zondo to determine when cross-examination applications will be heard

On Monday Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is expected to determine when applications of implicated persons to cross examine will be heard

Phumla Williams. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

State capture inquiry to resume, Phumla Williams to continue testimony

Government Communication and Information System chief executive Phumla Williams is expected to continue her testimony

Former GCIS head Mzwanele Manyi. (Gallo)

#StateCaptureInquiry: ‘Manyi should be summoned’

The self-proclaimed Zuma loyalist has reached out to several witnesses testifying at the Zondo commission

Williams told the commission that Manyi was lying in wait to be introduced to his new staff. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

#StateCaptureInquiry: Manyi was waiting to take Maseko’s place — Phumla Williams

Williams said the staff at the GCIS headquarters reacted with shock to Maseko’s removal