Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
25 February 2023 | 19:42 CAT

Image: Daily Maverick

Lawyers and law firms were instrumental in the decade-long State Capture project. From prestigious Sandton white shoe firms to crooked small-time attorneys – they all fattened their bank balances on the money flowing from bringing the country to its knees through state looting. Open Secrets alleges that one attorney who has not been held to account for State Capture crimes is the notorious Daniel Mantsha.

Daniel Mantsha is a man of many hats — attorney, director at state-owned arms company Denel, and legal counsel to former president Jacob Zuma. He has been active in both the private and public sectors for years. Throughout his career, Mantsha has been embroiled in numerous scandals; he has been removed and subsequently re-admitted to the attorney’s role and developed close connections with individuals implicated in State Capture.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Open Secrets investigator Luvano Ntuli said Daniel Mantsha has appeared in fights among the media and has appeared before the Zondo Commission, now appearing as the defence for a state capture accused.

“This person has never been fully held to account and has been so deeply implicated into state capture over the past few years,” she says.

Through an investigation conducted by Open Secrets, Ntuli said it was found that his conduct as the chair of the Board of Directors of Denel enabled the capture by the Guptas of the SOE and has led to the downfall of Denel, with no recovery since.

“The Zondo Commission found that through his conduct as the chair he made decisions and facilitated capture,” says Ntuli.

Before state capture, there was already controversy surrounding the conduct of Mantsha as an attorney in his own personal and professional conduct.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with host Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat and guest Open Secrets investigator Luvano Ntuli.