Evidence points to state capture, says Ramaphosa
Contrary to the view of President Jacob Zuma, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa says that there is “ample evidence” of the capture of state institutions to advance private interests and that this is something “that should worry all of us”. The deputy president also said in reply to questions in the National Assembly on Thursday that the evidence suggested that the diversion of public resources into the hands of a few families and individuals was continuing.
Contrary to the view of President Jacob Zuma, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa believes that there is “ample evidence” of the capture of state institutions to advance private interests and that this is something “that should worry all of us”.
The deputy president also said in reply to questions in the National Assembly on Thursday that the evidence suggested the diversion of public resources into the hands of a few families and individuals was continuing.
A commission of inquiry, he said, was necessary to ensure that the extent and depth of state capture was fully revealed and to understand how it happened.
Earlier this week, Zuma said in an ANN7 television interview that state capture had been created to discredit a particular family and individuals and that it was all fake and political.
“Corruption in state-owned enterprises is one of the greatest threats to effective governance and economic development,” Ramaphosa said in contrast.
He called on the National Prosecuting Authority, the Hawks and other law enforcement agencies to “immediately” commence and proceed with the investigation and prosecution of those responsible.
Ramaphosa revealed that he was reading the book The President’s Keepers by Jacques Pauw, the publication of which the State Security Agency wants to stop. He said in reply to DA chief whip John Steenhuisen that he was generally not in favour of muzzling the press.
“I am reading the book. As I am reading the book, there are quite a number of allegations that are being made. As far as I am concerned, I want to go into the depths of this book and to be able to make a judgment as to whether this is a credible move to try to stop a book.
“I have learnt that sometimes you should never try to muzzle the media. The media, in terms of our Constitution, should be free and fair. But I have not reached the point yet where I am able to reach a definitive determination,” he said.
“This is not only what members of this Parliament are waiting for but what the public as a whole is waiting for because there are perceptions that there has been massive wrongdoing in state-owned enterprises.”
Ramaphosa commended the inquiry into state capture at Eskom, which is being undertaken by Parliament’s portfolio committee on public enterprises. “Those guilty of any criminal acts should be brought to book and held to account.”
Ramaphosa urged the public to keep on agitating against corruption and “demonstrate that the people of SA will not tolerate any corruption”.
Questioned about whether he supported a judicial commission of inquiry into state capture, Ramaphosa said this was a matter that was before the courts, which would decide on the matter in the next few days or weeks.