--- title: "While you were sleeping: 31 May 2017" description: "Scorpio launches with one massive sting. #GuptaLeaks unveil a spiders' nest of corruption and fraud." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "Newsdeck" author: "John Stupart" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/johnstupart/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2017-06-01-while-you-were-sleeping-1-june-2017/" published: "2017-06-01T06:06:28" updated: "2017-06-01T06:06:29" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 783 --- # While you were sleeping: 31 May 2017 > Scorpio launches with one massive sting. #GuptaLeaks unveil a spiders' nest of corruption and fraud. By John Stupart · Published 1 June 2017, 08:06 SAST · Updated 1 June 2017, 08:06 SAST ## Content **Thursday, 1 June 2017** *“Few inventions have been so simple as the stirrup, but few have had so catalytic an influence on history.”* **Lynn White Jr.** ![Image](https://i2.createsend1.com/ei/d/ED/392/D93/csimport/849x493q70amaB-Scorpio-Locomotive-kickbacks.050723.jpg) STORY OF THE DAY [Editorial: The #GuptaLeaks revealed](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-u/) By STEFAANS BRÜMMER, SAM SOLE and BRANKO BRKIC Last weekend, the Sunday Times and City Press fired the first salvos in a story that should shake our nation to the core. The former did not exaggerate when it referred to “e-mails that prove the Guptas run South Africa”, even if its judgement was based on limited facts, as we shall see. [Scorpio launches with a sting](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-o/) It is not often that your news day is dominated by a single thread or theme, but today is certainly one such occasion. With the launch of Daily Maverick's investigative unit Scorpio, a giant #GuptaLeaks series has been published today. It exposes the full depth of information relating to last week's email leaks. Get some coffee, put a hold on your morning meeting, and read. [R5.3bn in train kickbacks for Zuma's pals](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-b/) First up is a damning exposé of billions of rands being funnelled from Transnet's coffers to allies of President Jacob Zuma. Billions relating to a locomotive deal with China South Rail (CSR). The scariest part, aside from the stench of rampant tender fraud in one of the country's larger transportation deals, is that the relationship between CSR and Transnet is ongoing. [#GuptaLeaks expose Mathsela Koko's state of capture](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-n/) Former acting CEO Matshela Koko has been revealed to have a rather comfy relationship with the real leadership in Saxonwold. #GuptaLeaks indicate that Koko was lobbied heavily by the Guptas' Tegeta Exploration and Resources, granting it a R1.68-billion prepayment. This did not materialise but rather gave Koko space to authorise a smaller, R659-million prepayment instead in April 2016. [Scorpio takes a look at the Dubai Mansion](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-p/) The Guptas have held an MTV Cribs show of their own, minus the cameras. Scorpio and Amabhungane sent a reporter to investigate the new R331-million mansion purchased by the Guptas. The 10 bedroom, 13 bathroom golden monstrosity saw additional consulting by an interior designer, who proposed a further R21.7-million in renovations, including a massive safe. The safe's proposed installation just so happened to coincide with visits by Matshela Koko, Eskom chief financial officer Anoj Singh, Transnet chief executive Siyabonga Gama and Denel chair Daniel Mantsha. In a draft email for President Zuma, the President informed one of the Emirati rulers that the stand in question was his "second home". — IN NUMBERS 1/3 The number of lifeboats available on the Titanic compared to its total passenger count. FACTS OF THE DAY Today is **World Milk Day**. Moo! Unless you're vegan, then whatever sound an almond makes. **George Washington's "wooden" teeth**were actually human teeth taken from slaves. FEATURED ARTICLES ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70amaB-Scorpio-Locomotive-kickbacks\(1\).jpg) [Editorial: The #GuptaLeaks revealed](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-c/) BY S BRÜMMER, S SOLE & B BRKIC ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70amaB-Scorpio-Locomotive-kickbacks.jpg) [amaBhungane and Scorpio #GuptaLeaks: Guptas and associates score R5.3bn in locomotives kickbacks](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-a/) BY AMABHUNGANE & SCORPIO ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70amab-scorpio-Optimum-prepayment.jpg) [amaBhungane and Scorpio #GuptaLeaks: Guptas pushed Eskom for R1.68bn prepayment](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-w/) BY AMABHUNGANE & SCORPIO ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70Scorpio-Gigaba-greasing.jpg) [amaBhungane and Scorpio #GuptaLeaks: Did Gigaba and officials grease Gupta gears?](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-yh/) BY AMABHUNGANE & SCORPIO ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70amab-and-Scorpio-duduzane.jpg) [amaBhungane and Scorpio #GuptaLeaks: Duduzane Zuma, Kept and Captured](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-yu/) BY AMABHUNGANE & SCORPIO ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70amaB-and-Scorpio-Dubai-Mansion-subbed.jpg) [amaBhungane and Scorpio #GuptaLeaks: The R331m Dubai Mansion](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-jr/) BY AMABHUNGANE & SCORPIO ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70Ranjeni-Brian-Molefe.jpg) [Brian Molefe: The fall and fall of the Guptas’ state capture kamikaze pilot](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-jj/) BY RANJENI MUNUSAMY ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70Thamm-Sassa-funerals.jpg) [Parliament: Sassa’s surprise plan to deduct 10% from grants for funeral policies unearthed](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-ji/) BY MARIANNE THAMM ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70Greg-IpidSaps.jpg) [IPID trades blows with SAPS while calls grow for acting police commissioner to step down](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-jh/) BY GREG NICOLSON ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70Health-e-sugar-tax.jpg) [Health-e News: The State has to act against sugary drinks – Treasury](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-ju/) BY HEALTH-E NEWS ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70merten-life-of-brian.jpg) [The Life of Brian: Molefe out of Eskom...again](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-tr/) BY MARIANNE MERTEN ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70Merten-PresGupta.jpg) [Parliament: ‘President Gupta’ jibe earns Maimane a reprimand, while Ramaphosa eyes the future](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-tj/) BY MARIANNE MERTEN ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70scorpio.jpg) [Scorpio: A new era for Daily Maverick](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-ti/) BY DAILY MAVERICK OPINIONISTAS ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/190x170q70Oscar-van-Heerden.jpg) [The quiet life of a Monopoly – the shadow of the shadow government](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-th/) A column by OSCAR VAN HEERDEN ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/190x170q70Konopi.jpg) [We speak of a revolution as though revolutions are quiet and non-disruptive](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-tu/) A column by GOITSE KONOPI ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/190x170q70Robyn-Wolfson-Vorster-Bio-pic-01.jpg) [Dirty tricks, delays and deception: The sabotage of child protection](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-ktlhqk-l-ir/) A column by ROBYN WOLFSON VORSTER — **Weather** BFN: min: 6° max: 18°, sunny CPT: min: 11° max: 19°, cloudy DBN: min: 17° max: 24°, sunny EL: min: 19° max: 28°, cloudy JHB: min: 3° max: 19°, sunny KIM: min: 7° max: 21°, sunny NLP: min: 5° max: 25°, cloudy PMB: min: 6° max: 24°, cloudy PE: min: 16° max: 25°, cloudy PTA: min: 5° max: 21°, sunny **Financial Data** Oil=$51.47 Gold=$1,262.45 Platinum=$940.76 R/$=13.13 R/€=14.75 R/£=16.92 $/€=0.89 JSE All Share=53,562.57 DJIA=20,994.68 FTSE 100=7,519.95