If state capture proves true, culprits must be punished

THE authenticity of allegations of the capture of South Africa’s state-owned enterprises should be urgently probed by a “competent body” and if found to be true, people should be punished, deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said yesterday.

Replying to questions in the National Assembly, Ramaphosa said it was in the interest of all South Africans that a judicial commission of inquiry be set up to probe state capture so the guilty could be brought to book and the innocent could clear their names.

Ramaphosa said President Jacob Zuma was speaking to his lawyers about a proposal, which has found favour with many within the ruling party and its alliance partners.

“President Jacob Zuma has the power to establish such a commission in terms of Section 84 (f) of the Constitution and he has indicated that he’s not opposed to the establishment of a commission of inquiry,” said Ramaphosa. – ANA