Barbara Hogan has laid bare details of her experience of former president Jacob Zuma’s leadership while she was public enterprises minister between 2009 and 2010.
Testifying at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture on Monday, Hogan said that Zuma “would not hear of any candidate except Siyabonga Gama” for the position Transnet CEO.
Hogan told the commission that Gama was not the preferred candidate because, at the time, he faced charges relating to tender irregularities in connection with the awarding of an R18-million contract.
But, according to Hogan, Zuma was insistent that the position of Transnet CEO should be filled by Gama.
She painted a picture of a man determined to see his will come to fruition, even if it meant “exceeding his authority.”
Nobody but Gama
Hogan said that when she informed Zuma about Gama’s disciplinary issues, the then president was not swayed into considering other candidates.
“He then said that no appointment to Transnet must be made until the disciplinary process against Zama was concluded,” Hogan testified.
Lack of foresight?
As she detailed interactions with Zuma, Hogan shared her impression of the way the former president handled the Gama matter.
“I couldn’t get a sense that he appreciated that you have to be able to apply your mind and justify what decisions you make as an executive authority,” explained Hogan.
Blurred lines between state and party politics
Hogan accused Zuma of acting as if “he still saw himself in the ANC as issuing instructions” to executive members in the party.
“You’re in charge of the show and you tell people what they must do. He almost had that approach,” added Hogan.
Informal meetings
Unlike her experiences with previous presidents, Hogan complained that in her meetings with Zuma, there was never anyone who assumed a secretarial and note-keeping role.
“The problem in virtually every instance of meeting with the president is that there was never an aide present.”
No regard for professionalism
Hogan was also not impressed with the way the president handled his diary.
“You met at his house, you know. The housekeeper sometimes would organise the meetings. There wasn’t a professionalism there.”
Barbara Hogan will continue testifying on Tuesday where she will continue to shed light on the inner details of decisions taken by Zuma, the man she says has hung her out to dry.