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Cape Town - British peer Peter Hain has been appointed as special adviser and ex officio member of the board of the South African Moti Group of Companies regarding its expansion plans beyond sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), it was announced on Friday.
The Moti Group is headquartered in Sandton and has its main focus on mining technology and resource beneficiation. It has a relationship with Rustenburg Platinum, a subsidiary of Anglo Platinum, and has a long-term relationship with Glencore regarding chrome beneficiation. The group is also focused on its chrome beneficiation operation, African Chrome Fields, in Zimbabwe.
Apart from mining, the group has interests in SSA in, among others, transport and logistics, aviation, security services, financial, risk management and property development.
Hain and Zunaid Moti, chair of the Moti Group, spoke to Fin24 on Friday morning at Moti's stunning holiday mansion high up on the slopes of Lion's Head in the exclusive Atlantic Seaboard suburb of Fresnaye. International forensic consultant Paul O'Sullivan, who some years ago still wanted to see Moti behind bars, will also be assisting the Moti Group, and was present at the interview as well.
"We checked each other out a few weeks ago," Hain said about his decision to assist Zunaid Moti and his company.
"Paul's word is like the gospel to me and I think the allegations against (Zunaid) are false," Hain added when asked about an international warrant of arrest out on Moti.
"When I met Zunaid in the past, it was not pleasant for him," explained O'Sullivan. "It was because he said nothing in his defence at the time due to having been advised by his legal representative not to say anything. A court later threw out a case that was brought against him and over the years I have built respect for him and even consult for him now."
The case related to allegations that Moti conspired to murder a North West businessman.
O'Sullivan said the involvement of Interpol in trying to arrest Moti stems from a "Russian national who borrowed money from Moti and ended up bringing a 'fake case' against Moti" on allegations which O'Sullivan claims he has since established to have been false and have, according to O'Sullivan, since been withdrawn.
"Zunaid Moti is a successful businessman and people tend to prey on such successful business people. That is why I now consult for him and can analyse things. I am confident that he is not involved in any criminal activity," said O'Sullivan.
Moti told Fin24 that Hain will bring more of a macro perspective to the Moti Group, as well as global expertise.
"Our group has ambitious development plans. Together we can expand the Moti Group further globally, including in Europe and the UK," explained Moti. More information about expansion will be released in future, but areas of interest already include property and pharmaceuticals.
Moti is optimistic about the new era for South Africa with President Cyril Ramaphosa at the helm. Moti also sees more opportunities in Zimbabwe.
"My vision is about the environment, sustainability, social responsibility, corporate integrity and creating wealth and opportunities for ordinary citizens of South Africa and Zimbabwe," said Hain.
Hain will also help the Moti Group to identify causes for its Charitable Trust to get involved in.
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