The legal team at the judicial commission of inquiry into state capture has asked the chairperson to allow three hard drives, that contain what has become known as the #GuptaLeaks, to be admitted as evidence.
Between 200 000 and 300 000 emails were leaked to the media a year ago, and they set in motion a series of exposés on the controversial Gupta family.
The emails showed how the Guptas – who had the ear of former president Jacob Zuma and enriched his son Duduzane through numerous directorships – had infiltrated numerous state-owned enterprises and laundered money to fund private projects and to bank accounts in Dubai and India.
Lawyer Brian Carrin, who is currently testifying before the commission, said he had met with one whistleblower called "Stan" through his friend. Carrin said his first meeting with Stan was in February 2017.
'Visibly nervous'
He, however, declined to reveal how Stan came into possession of the initial hard drive, saying it would reveal his identify.
"We obviously were concerned that either Stan, [or] whoever was in possession of these hard drives may be identified and confiscated."
He said the whistleblower had indicated that the information on the hard drive contained emails from Ashu Chawla from Sahara Computers.
"He was visibly nervous, he was in a state of shock – it was a difficult meeting," he said.
Currin said that the second whistleblower, who he referred to as "John", also played a significant role.
The hearing continues.
#StateCaptureInquiry today's story by lawyer Brian Currin on how he helped whistleblowers get emails out is a testament to South Africa's rich human rights and civil society tradition. The sector knew how to get the information out to change our country. ??????????????????
— Ferial Haffajee (@ferialhaffajee) September 27, 2018
#StateCaptureInquiry one of the whistleblowers whose story Brian Currin is now telling at Zondo Commission revealed to @StefaansB how former President Zuma's dismissive laugh at evidence of state capture pushed him to expose. The Laughing President cooked his own goose
— Ferial Haffajee (@ferialhaffajee) September 27, 2018
The whistleblowers are willing to testify in July 2019. #StateCaptureInquiry
— Jeanette Chabalala (@J_chabalala) September 27, 2018
#StateCaptureInquiry . Comment: It is quite shocking that the two whistleblowers who leaked the #GuptaEmails needed to leave the country because they felt their lives were in danger. We were in such deep trouble through forces of capture. ???? dodged a bullet.
— Ferial Haffajee (@ferialhaffajee) September 27, 2018
#StateCaptureInquiry Brian Currin says they had not been working with the @SundayTimesZA and did not know how the title got hold of the #GuptaEmails. The early publication caused huge anxiety to "Stan" and "John" and impacted their trust in the process. They were still in SA
— Ferial Haffajee (@ferialhaffajee) September 27, 2018
Pretorius says it is extremely improbable that the data is fake. He says if anyone says the emails are fake then they would have to explain the hidden data. #StateCaptureInquiry @TeamNews24
— Jeanette Chabalala (@J_chabalala) September 27, 2018
Currin says the two whistleblowers have been fearful. He says they are fearful of their personal safety. #StateCaptureInquiry @TeamNews24
— Jeanette Chabalala (@J_chabalala) September 27, 2018