Al Jazeera English investigates the role of multinational companies in South Africa’s corruption saga

In South Africa: Corruption Inc. filmmaker Naashon Zalk examines how audit firm KMPG and management consultancy McKinsey have become embroiled in a web of corruption in South Africa.

Starting with an exclusive interview with a bribe-paying businessman (whose identity is hidden), the film reveals the extent to which corruption has become endemic within South Africa’s public sector.

South Africa’s ever-widening corruption scandal pressured former president Jacob Zuma into resigning last month. His close associates, the politically well-connected Gupta brothers, are seen to be at the centre of the scandal.

As the dust settles and a new president works to salvage the country’s reputation, and that of his own ruling party, Al Jazeera’s People & Power series investigates the role that multinational companies have played in South Africa’s corruption saga.

It then turns its attention to the first of two scandals that touched KPMG. The first involved a politically explosive report it produced for the South African Revenue Service (SARS). The fallout from the report has caused widespread damage to the service and led to the firing of the well-regarded and popular Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan. The film asks questions about the veracity of the report and why none of those implicated in it were given an opportunity to present evidence in their defence. It features an exclusive interview with former SARS official Johann van Loggerenberg, as well as an interview with former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.

Next, the film investigates KPMG’s relationship with the controversial Gupta family, accused of using their proximity to former President Zuma in order to loot state coffers. KPMG was the Gupta’s auditor for 16 years. This film raises the question of whether their relationship with its clients was too cosy for comfort and did this cause the firm to turn a blind eye to some of the Gupta group’s more questionable activities?

Finally, the film examines an affair that has seen global management consultancy McKinsey become embroiled in a further Gupta-linked scandal. McKinsey struck a lucrative deal with Eskom, South Africa’s state electricity company. Controversially, it worked alongside Trillian, a local company with well-known Gupta links. This has raised questions about whether it knowingly used Trillian’s political connections in order to secure the deal. Bianca Goodson, Trillian’s former CEO, and Suzanne Daniels, Eskom’s Head of Legal, explain how the saga unfolded.

~ENDS~

Broadcast Times

GMT

Wed 28 Mar at 10:30PM

Thu 29 Mar at 9:30AM

Fri 30 Mar at 3:30AM

Sat 31 Mar at 4:30PM

Sun 1 Apr at 5:30AM