The state has agreed to sell off burdensome assets and encourage private equity. : The ANC is now in principle open to taking on private equity partners in state-owned entities such as Eskom. (Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters) Deputy Finance Minister Mondli Gungubele says the government has agreed to sell the assets of some state-owned entities (SOEs) and to allow private equity in others to boost falling revenues and service ballooning debt obligations.