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.

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.

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.

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”.

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