SACP to increase ‘state capture’ pressure

Atul Gupta and President Jacob Zuma

Atul Gupta and President Jacob Zuma

Published Jun 5, 2016

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Mogomotsi Magome

Johannesburg: The SACP is expected to come out guns blazing on Sunday about the ANC’s handling of the “serious” allegations of undue influence by the Gupta family and President Jacob Zuma’s attempts to play down the issue of state capture.

The SACP leadership is meeting in Joburg, only a few days after the ANC’s national executive committee closed a probe that was meant to determine whether the Gupta brothers had wielded any influence in the appointment of cabinet ministers and over state-owned entities.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is expected to address the central committee on challenges facing the economy and other concerns raised by the party.

Earlier this week, the SACP alleged there were political motives in Hawks boss Berning Ntlemeza’s investigation into the so-called “rogue spy unit” established at the SA Revenue Service during Gordhan’s tenure as commissioner.’

Deputy Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Andries Nel is also expected to address the meeting.

“It’s a long-standing practice that we invite ministers in different portfolios to address issues related to the portfolios,” said SACP spokesman Alex Mashilo.

“There are many issues related to the Treasury and the economy we need to address. The same applies to the issues of local government.”

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said only one out of eight people who had come forward with information about the Guptas had been willing to make written submissions.

Former government spokesman Themba Maseko confirmed on social media this week that he had made a written submission.

It is understood from well-placed SACP sources that the party has taken great exception to the way the matter has been handled.

Zuma is seen to have contradicted the tripartite alliance’s position on state capture. Zuma told the Gauteng general council there was no such thing as state capture, and the debate was making something big out of something small.

An SACP leader said there was serious concern about Zuma's comments as there was consensus in the alliance about the dangers of state capture and its effects on the country.

This consensus had been expressed in the declaration issued after the alliance summit last year.

“What we had was a recognition and acknowledgement, that corruption, manipulation and factionalism were opening the movement to corporate capture and must be fought to the end.

“And then you have the president, who spoke at length at the summit, agreeing to these issues, contradicting that. This SACP central committee will have to answer the question of what is to be done when this happens.”

The SACP source said the internal ANC probe was doomed from the start as it had no investigative or legal capacity.

Outspoken SACP second deputy general secretary Solly Mapaila said the failed probe was “the work of a faction that has rendered the ruling party’s national executive committee useless”.

Another SACP leader said there was a pattern of decisions taken by the alliance being ignored by ANC leaders. – Political Bureau

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