THE secretary-general of the ANC, Gwede Mantashe, obviously knowing a great deal more than we do, must tell us what he is hiding or defending.
Cope knew from the word go that the so-called investigation on state capture entrusted to his office was dead in the water.
For anyone brave enough to respond to the invitation to make written submissions to Mantashe, it was the same as taking yourself to the gallows. Complainants knew they would be strung up by the neck.
The mere fact that only one out of eight complainants was willing to come forth with a written statement underscores our point. Fear of harm was palpable.
Mantashe is, therefore, full of sound and fury which signify nothing.
The issue of his much publicised investigation into state capture is a case in point.
With ready evidence from credible quarters, a serving deputy minister included, the nation genuinely expected, at long last, for him to come up with a mountain, not a tiny little mole. Unfortunately it was a very little mole that he produced.
He demonstrated the total futility of the whole exercise. He represents a fraternity of whitewashers.
Cope laid a charge of corruption and treason against Mr Zuma, as well as the Guptas.
The police should investigate the charge. If the inspector-general has a report on the Gupta capture of the state, the work of the police will be greatly simplified.
SAPS can request and get that report interdepartmentally and then use it to prosecute the case in line with the charges we brought against Mr Zuma and the Guptas. The police must act.
No one in South Africa will believe that Mr Zuma’s relationship with the Guptas is innocent and above board. No one will believe that the Gupta family has not been having its way with Mr Zuma and exercising undue influence on him.
Perception, in politics, is everything. The Guptas have, by all accounts and diverse reports, had the whip hand, and have been bold enough to reveal that.
So, why is Mantashe disappointing in spite of all his bluster? Is he also captured or is he so tightly cornered, five votes to one, that he can do nothing?
If so, do we have a five-person ANC junta that is really ruling South Africa? The questions are many. Regarding real answers, there are none.
The report on the Guptas that is with the inspector-general must be acted on. The charge of treason that we laid against Mr Zuma and the Guptas must be pursued in the interest of the law. The truth must surface, and that can only happen in open court.
Dennis Bloem
Cope spokesperson