Molefe ‘slush fund’: ATM data links R11m in cash deposits to ex-Eskom boss locations
📰 Original article: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-25-molefe-slush-fund-atm-data-li…
Fact-Check Results
“An alleged slush fund linked to Brian Molefe received the bulk of its substantial cash 'earnings' through deposits at ATMs located near properties that the former Eskom and Transnet boss owned at the time.”
❓
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to confirm or refute claims about ATM deposits linked to Brian Molefe's properties.
“Cash deposits at ATMs near Eskom’s Johannesburg headquarters drastically increased only after Molefe’s move to this state-owned enterprise (SOE).”
❓
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to verify changes in ATM deposit patterns at Eskom's headquarters.
“Palcocap’s FNB account received roughly R11-million in cash deposits between November 2013 and July 2018.”
❓
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to confirm cash deposit amounts in Palcocap's FNB account.
“The data betrays a remarkable physical proximity between those ATMs that were most frequently used to pay cash into the Palcocap account and Molefe’s properties and places of work.”
❓
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to verify proximity between ATMs and Molefe's properties/workplaces.
“A former Transnet driver and bodyguard informed the commission of multiple instances where he ferried Molefe to the Gupta compound.”
❓
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to confirm testimonies about Molefe's transportation to the Gupta compound.
“The Zondo Commission found reasonable grounds to believe Molefe may have committed corruption by accepting gratification to influence contracts favoring the Gupta enterprise.”
❓
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to verify Zondo Commission's findings on Molefe's alleged corruption.
“In January 2014, someone made two ADT payments of R10,000 each into Palcocap’s FNB account using an FNB machine inside the Carlton Centre.”
❓
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to confirm specific ADT payments to Palcocap's account in 2014.
“Between November 2013 and July 2018, Palcocap received cash deposits in its FNB bank account totalling R11.3-million.”
❓
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to verify total cash deposits to Palcocap's account between 2013-2018.
“The cash deposits were made at 35 identified FNB ATM locations, with 84% of deposits occurring in Gauteng.”
❓
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to confirm ATM locations or regional distribution of deposits.
“The FNB at the Irene Village Mall in Centurion received R3.42-million in deposits, which was 31% of Palcocap’s cash earnings.”
❓
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to verify deposit amounts at the Irene Village Mall ATM.
“The FNB branch in Hartbeespoort received 46 cash deposits totaling nearly R880,000 between December 2014 and April 2017.”
❓
PENDING
“Brian Molefe’s principal residence in Gauteng was located within 2.4 km of the Irene Village Mall FNB ATM.”
❓
PENDING