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Eskom chief executive Brian Molefe was trending on Twitter yesterday – not only because he broke down during a press conference that was meant to be on Eskom’s financial results – but because of his claim that he wasn’t visiting the Guptas, but a nearby shebeen.
Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s State of Capture report, which was released on Wednesday, contains cellphone tracking evidence that Molefe was at or near the Guptas’ Saxonwold, Johannesburg, compound 19 times between August 5 and November 17 2015.
Molefe broke down in tears as he hit back at these details during an Eskom results presentation.
“There’s a shebeen there, two streets away from the Guptas. I will not admit or deny that I’ve gone to the shebeen. But there is a shebeen there.”
However, chairperson of the Saxonwold and Parkwood Residents Association Tessa Turvey told News24 that there was no shebeen in the small upmarket area near the Johannesburg zoo.
In true South African style, Twitter went crazy. Here are top 10 tweets on the matter:
After a Phuza Thursday at the #SaxonwoldShebeen... pic.twitter.com/1duaRRR5nu
— Ryan Cummings (@Pol_Sec_Analyst) November 3, 2016
This is what happens to people who drink in #SaxonwoldShebeen and thereafter eat curry with Guptas. So we advise that people must stay away. pic.twitter.com/r5y8SnWav1
— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) November 3, 2016
Weekend special at #SaxonwoldShebeen: Crocodile Tears on ice with a dash of Thuli Juice
— Max du Preez (@MaxduPreez) November 4, 2016
Do they serve Oros at the #SaxonwoldShebeen, I wonder
— Max du Preez (@MaxduPreez) November 4, 2016
#SaxonwoldShebeen Des's Weekend Shphatlo Special. pic.twitter.com/9pXxjl9EYU
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) November 4, 2016
When you can't wait for Friday to end so you can jive at the #SaxonwoldShebeen & enjoy one of their famous Curry meals.. pic.twitter.com/Kc05NRie4y
— Hlaudi Motsoneng (@SABC_C00) November 4, 2016
What you need when you go to the #SaxonwoldShebeen as you may get a huge bribe. ?? pic.twitter.com/hdWrCkHORB
— Floyd Nkuna (@amufloyd) November 4, 2016
When a new bouncer at #SaxonwoldShebeen doesn't know you are a friequent customer and asks for ID pic.twitter.com/ywsLgjtjKO
— Tebogo (@BuddyTebza) November 3, 2016
When you realise that you frequent that area but nobody ever bothered to invite you to #SaxonwoldShebeen pic.twitter.com/T8IgsjA5Kh
— Bongeh Mbonambi (@Bongeh_M) November 3, 2016
"Don't forget the bring and bribe later on at #SaxonwoldShebeen nhe" pic.twitter.com/QHYxDzBpA8
— Hlanga (@Tar_Siyera) November 3, 2016
Bonus section
A Twitter account was even set up in honour of the shebeen. The Saxonwold Shebeen account was in top form:
Special offer on tonight only! A bottle of Jonnny Walker will ONLY cost you a Rustenburg coal mine! Only at #SaxonwoldShebeen
— SaxonwoldShebeen (@StateShebeen) November 4, 2016
Friday nights is shooter night! Buy one, get seven cabinet ministers for free! Only at #SaxonwoldShebeen
— SaxonwoldShebeen (@StateShebeen) November 4, 2016
Remember: Friday nights are BYOFM nights (Bring Your Own Finance Minister) only at the #SaxonwoldShebeen
— SaxonwoldShebeen (@StateShebeen) November 4, 2016
- Additional reporting by News24
