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KNYSNA NEWS AND VIDEOS - In what can be described as a heist of the some of the hottest political writers in the country right now, the Knysna Literary Festival got them together last week.
Zuma Unplugged included a debate between investigative journalist Jacques Pauw, News24 editor-in-chief Adriaan Basson and HuffPost SA editor-in-chief Pieter du Toit, with Basson asking questions about Pauw's controversial book, The President's Keepers.
First question directed at Pauw was, is he about to be arrested even while sitting at Whe+ on Thesen Island?
Pauw replied, "None of my documents are in here with me. I have no documents that threaten the State, but I do have evidence about Arthur Fraser."
Arrest definitely possible
He said he thinks his arrest is quite possible. "There were three police investigating me, but now the investigation into me will fall under one investigating officer."
He added, "A lot of scarce state resources/money are being spent on investigating me."
There is, however, in Pauw's mind no fear and he thinks it might well be a good thing.
"If I get arrested by the Hawks, then let's have SARS in the box," said Pauw, who explained that in such a case, evidence that he cannot get now because it is protected by legislation would have to come to light.
Hawks' raid of Pauw
It took seven minutes for EWN to report on the raid of his home by the Hawks, but Pauw said, "The Hawks are hollowed out… should be protecting the state against Isis, not me," he said.
Pauw shared how some sources were petrified to talk to him and meetings were held at an ever-popular spot, The Wimpy.
"I know that the Hawks are listening to my phone so I stopped contacting my sources before the book was published," he said. "State security and the Hawks have no idea who gave me information."
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People with a conscience
Talking about the whistleblowers who had given Pauw information, he stressed there are civil servants who want to do the right thing and said that while writing his book he realised just how dedicated some are.
Pauw is of the firm opinion that the first thing Cyril Ramaphosa has to do is get rid of State Security Agency director-general Arthur Fraser, just for starters. Also on the list is National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) boss Shaun Abrahams.
Read Pauw's book to find out more, but Fraser, according to Pauw, wasted R1-billion in two years including R11-million on 300 agents' cars.
His recommendation is that Fraser be charged with treason, that the department of intelligence is in "complete and utter disarray and the level of incompetence frightening".
He also explored the Russian links throughout the Zuma reign.
Zuma a financial disaster
Pauw described Zuma as a "financial delinquent" more than once.
"How to clean the terrible mess?" asked Basson.
"The people in charge of the law enforcement agencies should not be there – including SARS, Shaun Abrahams and Arthur Fraser," stressed Pauw.
He said the solution was to get the "good guys" with solid experience like Ivan Pillay back into SARS and Glynnis Breytenbach into the NPA. There was no time to train and groom this calibre of people now as the process of change needs to start.
Will the Guptas be caught?
Another question, whether he thinks the Guptas will be caught, he answered as follows: "No, the Hawks have waited too long and do not have enough expertise or enough evidence – the Guptas and the money has gone."
Reappointed head of police Bheki Cele makes a lot of sense as he has "fire in his belly", said Pauw.
Read his book, available at all bookstores, to understand how deep the rot was in this country.
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