Johannesburg - A group of 27 former senior civil servants has turned up the pressure on President Jacob Zuma over allegations of “state capture” by the controversial Gupta family and its business empire.
The group, made up of former director generals, some of whom have served since the dawn of democracy in 1994, have called for an independent public inquiry into the scandal. Their request was made in a letter to the ministers of finance and public service and administration, and copied to the Presidency.
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In a memorandum titled “Save the soul of the public service from state capture”, the former DGs called for the inquiry to investigate all senior political and administrative officials who, in their dealing with the Guptas and associated companies, may have contravened the constitution.
They also urged treasury to investigate the possible involvement of the Guptas and their companies in “illicit financial flows out of South Africa”.
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This last demand opens a new and potentially dangerous front for the Guptas, who so have escaped any probe of their actual business and financial dealings. The mention of “illicit financial flows” offers a glimpse into the motives of South Africa’s four major banks, all of whom recently dropped the Guptas and their companies as clients.
The Guptas have made impassioned pleas in media adverts calling for the banks to save the jobs of their employees by reinstating their bank accounts. In a somewhat unprecedented move, Zuma’s cabinet appointed an inter-ministerial committee to intervene in the Gupta family’s battle with the banks.
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In their call for action, the former DGs recommend that:
* The inquiry include chapter nine institutions like the public protector, auditor general, public service commission, retired judges, advocates and experts in international financial flows.
* The inquiry assist to achieve the goal of uncovering incidents of corruption and forms of illegal activity.
* Public servants be allowed to come forward freely to provide information and well as report breaches of relevant legislation.
* That the inquiry include all spheres of government and state owned enterprises.
The group said it will be requesting a meeting with the ministers of finance and public service and administration this week.
The former DGs also expressed concern at the effect of the recent Constitutional Court judgment that President Jacob Zuma had failed to “defend, uphold and protect the constitution” on the Nkandla matter.
The signatories of the letter include Themba Maseko, Frank Chikane, Mavuso Msimang, Mpumi Mpofu, Vusi Pikoli, Barry Gilder, Ayanda Ntsaluba, Professor Itumeleng Mosala and Sipho Pityana, among others.
Perhaps most alarming for Zuma will be the fact that the group includes former close confidants and bosses of the country’s security agencies. Moe Shaik, Gibson Njenge and Jeff Maqetuka are all signatories.
The three lost their top spy jobs after they allegedly fell out with Zuma for expressing unease about the Gupta family’s influence. The three concluded that the family represented a threat to state security, media reports said at the time.
Soon after they were all ousted, the Guptas’ private jet was allowed to land at Waterkloof Air Force Base, a national key point.
Maseko is one of the first former high ranking government officials to confirm being asked by Zuma in 2010 to meet the Gupta family at their home in Joburg and to “please help them”.
Maseko claimed he met two Gupta brothers who wanted his help in directing government advertising to the family’s newspaper.
Attempts to get comment from ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe went unanswered on Saturday. The Guptas did not respond to emailed request for comment either.
Political Bureau