ANC: Info on Guptas to determine action taken

ANC: Info on Guptas to determine action taken

The ANC says the type of information received on the Gupta family influence in government will determine the type of action to be taken.

Ajay Gupta and younger brother Atul Gupta
Getty Images
“We will hear people talking and we will compile a list and call them to come and explain what happened. Once we have the information, it can only be that information that determines what action is to be taken,” secretary general Gwede Mantashe told reporters in Pretoria.

“Running an organisation is based on a principle of establishing truth from facts.  You don’t just take information because it is sensational.”

Mantashe said the NEC had instructed officials and the national working committee to gather all pertinent information about the allegations. The NEC meeting came on the backdrop of a turbulent week for the ruling party and President Jacob Zuma.

Revelations by Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas and former MP Vytjie Mentor that they had been offered Cabinet positions by the Gupta family, saw the public and some party members calling on the NEC to take action against Zuma.

Mantashe said the issue was being taken seriously and called on those with evidence to come forward.

“The ANC calls on all members who have information to approach the secretary general’s office. The NEC will develop a Code of Conduct for ANC members doing business with the state,” he said.

He said the organisation would have a meeting with the family to discuss the allegations levelled. He said they could not ignore the issue while the Gupta names keep popping up.

“We will get the information and if we must confront the Gupta’s we will confront them. We have met them  [Gupta’s] before and there is a follow up meeting with them in the coming week because if they are in the space with us and their name keeps popping up around the ANC then the ANC will have to engage that reality,” said Mantashe.

He said the party would discuss the issue of state capture and how does it work.

“It started now to try and flush it out theoretically to say how does it work? Is it only when I capture Zizi [Kodwa] that is state capture or does it go to the government that is progressive disarticulating progressive policies and therefore becoming an outlet for business interest? That discussion has started and will continue until we are clear in our minds what it means.

“We can never allow where you have leadership that are converted into interests of business or state institutions that are controlled outside of themselves. Once you have that, you have a danger of capture and that capture will destroy the state,” he said.

Mantashe added that it was not only an ANC issue but a national one.

(Photo: File)


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