The Gupta emails need to be investigated: ANC
The ANC has called on the national government to establish the veracity of the so-called ‘Gupta leak’, in which thousands of emails showing links between government officials and the Gupta family have been widely published in the public domain.
In a statement on Friday, the party said that it views the email leak in “a very serious light”, as they call into question the integrity and credibility of government and the use of state resources.
“Such matters cannot be allowed to fester in the public domain,” the party said.
“Accordingly, the African National Congress calls on government to urgently seek to establish the veracity of these claims and explanation from those implicated.”
The party also reiterated its call for a judicial commission of enquiry to be set up to investigate state capture in South Africa, “without delay”.
President Jacob Zuma along with his son Duduzane have been implicated as the central figures in the state capture allegations. The president has made no official statement about the Gupta leaks, but has criticised his detractors and opposition parties for playing into “negative propaganda”.
Speaking in the closing of the presidential budget debate in Parliament on Thursday, Zuma said that all talk of state capture amounts to nothing more than rumour and allegations.
The president has said that he is not opposed to the judicial commission of enquiry into the matter, but believes that only he can set it up and determine its scope.
He has challenged the Public Protector’s findings in this regard, where she ordered a commission to be set up, with the Chief Justice determining who should preside over it, and what the scope should be.
This was to avoid a conflict of interest, where Zuma, as an implicated person, could not also be the judge and jury of the investigation into himself.
Zuma maintains that it is unconstitutional for the Public Protector to make such an order, and is once again challenging her powers.
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