BACKSTORY: Zupta protester James Gubb on THAT R100k fine: 'I was an easy target'

JOHANNESBURG — On March 31, 2017, it took the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) just over 20 minutes to swoop in and halt veteran stock market trader James Gubb's curious 22 trades in highly illiquid Gupta-owned Oakbay. But by that time, Gubb had achieved what he wanted. On a chart, his trades depicted what would resemble a middle finger to the Zuptas. The timing of Gubb's unique protest art was pertinent as it came a day after President Jacob Zuma pulled the trigger and fired respected Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan on March 30. The R400 trades in Oakbay have become a costly affair for Gubb as the JSE reported the matter to the Financial Services Board (FSB) which, in turn, fined him a whopping R100 000 for his harmless protest. Gubb has been transparent and open about his innocent trades as well as the intention to create his world-first protest art. But the FSB and JSE clearly don't have a sense of humour. This has backfired spectacularly in their faces as public support has grown for Gubb who has become a hero in many South Africans' eyes. Here is an interview with Gubb in which he tells the backstory of his inventive and artistic Oakbay trades... - Gareth van Zyl