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President Zuma swims in more crises
Interestingly, President Jacob Zuma is facing more trouble day by day as he along with two former French leaders, has been implicated by a former arms dealer in hush payments made pertaining to South Africa’s weapons acquisition programme.
The arms dealer also mentioned other senior South African politicians – in the alleged corrupt dealings, according to News24.
Lawyer Ajay Sooklal, a former agent for French arms conglomerate Thales and its South African subsidiaries, on Monday testified at the People’s Tribunal on Economic Crime at Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg.
Some of Sooklal’s insights into Thales’ involvement in the arms deal have surfaced before, but the former arms agent and lawyer added further explosive claims with regards to the highly contentious series of weapons contracts the South African government entered into with European arms suppliers in the 1990s.
Thales in 1997 won a R2.6bn stake in South Africa’s R60bn arms acquisition program to supply combat systems for four frigates procured by the navy.
Sooklal, who had been referred to as “Witness X” before his testimony, later decided to withdraw as a witness.
This was followed by a series of probing questions by retired constitutional court judge Zak Yacoob into Sooklal’s own involvement in Thales’ financial dealings with Zuma, his former financial advisor, Schabir Shaik, and other individuals who’d allegedly been bribed by the French arms supplier.
Before his exit from the proceedings, Sooklal, among other claims, stated the following:
* Thales committed to a R500 000 a year “payment” to then deputy president Jacob Zuma to secure the deputy president’s protection in any South African probes into Thales’ conduct in the arms deal. The alleged payments were also intended to secure Zuma’s support of the company’s future dealings with the South African government.
* Zuma did receive payments and other benefits, including air tickets and tickets to the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, from Thales, between 2005 and 2009. Sooklal, however, did not confirm whether the R500 000 a year payment materialised.
* Shamin “Chippy” Shaik, the brother of Schabir Shaik and the former head of South Africa’s arms procurement process, received a cash payment of US$1m from Thales.
* The very top executives of Thales, which was earlier known as Thompson-CSF, and its South African subsidiaries, were all directly aware of or actively sanctioned the dubious payments made around the arms deal contract.
* Two successive French presidents directly placed pressure on former president Thabo Mbeki and later on Zuma to ensure that any South African probes into the arms deal would not focus on Thales. In 2004, former president Jacques Chirac allegedly tried to influence Mbeki and other senior government officials to help ensure that Thales wouldn’t come under the magnifying glass in arms deal investigations in South Africa. In 2008, after Zuma had become ANC president, Chirac’s successor, Nicolas Sarkozy, allegedly met with Zuma in Paris. Sarkozy allegedly asked Zuma to help make the investigations into Thint, Thales’ South African subsidiary, “disappear”, Sooklal testified.
* Zuma invited Sooklal to a meeting at the president’s official residence in Pretoria in August 2012. Zuma allegedly told Sooklal that he had just appointed the Seriti commission of inquiry into the arms deal. He then allegedly implored Sooklal to refrain from testifying about Zuma’s payments from Thales or Thint at the commission of inquiry.
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Meet Alhaji Ismail Adebayo Yisa, A Visionary Leader Committed to Philanthropy and Empowerment
Meet Alhaji Ismail Adebayo Yisa, A Visionary Leader Committed to Philanthropy and Empowerment
By Solanke Ayomideji Taiwo
Alhaji Ismail Adebayo Yisa stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration in the community of Abeokuta, Ogun State. As the Chief Executive Officer of 99 Cristal Lounge and Hotel International, he has transformed the hospitality landscape while simultaneously dedicating himself to uplifting the younger generation through a multitude of philanthropic initiatives.
He is the principal of the Omo-Ade Foundation, a charitable organization rooted in the mission of giving back to the community and fostering positive change. Under his leadership, the foundation has made significant strides in addressing the needs of the less fortunate. Notably, in July 2025, the Omo-Ade Foundation provided essential food and cash empowerment support to over 500 residents of Abeokuta North Local Government Area, illustrating his unwavering commitment to community welfare and development.
Alhaji Yisa is renowned for his warm-hearted nature and deep compassion, often described as having a heart of “gold.” His relentless dedication to philanthropy is a testament to his belief in the power of community and the importance of nurturing the potential of the younger generation.
His exemplary contributions have not gone unnoticed; Alhaji Yisa is a multiple award winner, recognized both in political circles and the educational sector for his outstanding service and commitment to the betterment of society. Through his work, he continues to inspire others to join the cause of social responsibility and community enhancement.
Through his leadership at 99 Cristal Lounge and Hotel International and the impactful initiatives of the Omo-Ade Foundation, Alhaji Ismail Adebayo Yisa is not only building a successful business but also shaping a brighter future for the youth and less privileged in Abeokuta North and beyond. His journey is a powerful reminder of the change one can effect through compassion, dedication, and selfless service.
Dangote Truck not responsible for Auchi Accident, says Eyewitness.
The Dangote Cement truck did not cause the tragic accident, which occurred on the Auchi-Okpella-Okene road, near Omega Fire Ministry in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, contrary to online reports.
An eyewitness, Audu Omale, who gave a vivid account of the accident, recalled that “a third-party truck loaded with cement was moving in the opposite direction of the Dangote Cement (DCT) CNG truck on a slopy road. The commercial truck driver lost control of his truck due to a suspected brake failure, ran into a moving vehicle, a motorcycle, and eventually crashed into the side of the DCT truck. The DCT CNG truck caught fire in the process.
“Consequently, three persons from the vehicle hit by the third-party truck lost their lives, while two persons sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. The DCT truck driver escaped to avoid a mob attack,” Omale clarified.
In a related development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Edo State Police Command, CSP Moses Yamu, confirmed that the accident involved two trucks, one belonging to Dangote Cement, another truck, which has not been identified, and a GLK Mercedes-Benz car.
The Edo PPRO noted that all three occupants in the GLK were confirmed dead in the hospital, while the Dangote truck caught ffirewhich was brought under control.
“I can confirm to you that three vehicles were involved in an accident in Auchi at midday: two trucks and one GLK Benz. The police moved to the scene of the accident and evacuated three occupants of the GLK to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead.
“Two of the vehicles involved were trucks, one belonging to Dangote Cement and another unidentified one. The Dangote truck caught fire and was brought under control,” Yamu stated. He added that the investigation was ongoing.
LOGS INVESTMENT JOINS FORCES WITH MC RICHMAN TO BRING “SOUTH AFRICA LAUGHS” TO LIFE
Chief John Eriourolo aka Ogba Johnilla
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