reported last week by amaBhungane.
On 12 April, Sisulu issued a letterreported that Open Water had been deployed in what appeared to be a similar politically inspired witch hunt against then-Council for Scientific and Industrial Research chief executive Sibusiso Sibisi.
While other private forensic firms have endured claims they conducted “factional investigations” tailored for specific outcomes, the nature of the overlapping relationships between Sisulu, Magashule, Nkondo and Bomela raise red flags in relation to Open Water’s appointment.
Open Water’s Pieterse said: “I submitted our response to the minister’s office. I trust they will incorporate into their response.”
Neither Sisulu nor Magashule had responded by the time of publication, but this story will be updated to reflect their responses.
*The amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism, an independent non-profit, produced this story. Like it? Be an amaB Supporter to help us do more. Sign up for our newsletter to get more.