Mbalula: I told cadres to help the Zondo commission
FIKILE Mbalula pleaded with other ANC leaders implicated in evidence before the commission of inquiry into state capture to come forward and testify.
Mbalula, who testified at the commission chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, refused to hold back as he revealed how he advised fellow ANC members several years ago about the Gupta family’s influence in state affairs, but no one cared to listen.
The ANC head of elections and former sport and police minister used the platform to clarify claims that he was offered the position of sport and recreation minister by Ajay Gupta in 2010.
He denied he was presented with the position by the Guptas, pointing out that Ajay called him weeks before former president Jacob Zuma reshuffled his Cabinet in October 2010.
Speaking on the sidelines after giving evidence, Mbalula said other ANC leaders, current and former Cabinet ministers implicated, should state their cases.
“I say to them come forward, if you don’t, you will be subpoenaed,” he said.
“If you have been mentioned, it is better to come forward and state your case about what you know and how the facts have actually happened.”
According to Mbalula, the ANC already instructed its leaders to assist the commission in every way they can.
Mbalula, meanwhile, poured cold water on suggestions that revelations at the commission would harm its election campaign ahead of the May 8 polls.
“Many people view this as affecting the ANC adversely, negatively in the context of the election campaign. I don’t.”
He said the mere fact the ANC has been brave enough to take a resolution to establish the commission at its December 2017 national conference was important and would lay to rest whatever comes up about the Guptas or anyone else implicated in state capture.
Mbalula said he spoke out about the Guptas at an ANC national executive committee (NEC) meeting in August 2011 because it was the appropriate forum and understood that the family was a political problem.
An emotional Mbalula informed the NEC about Ajay’s call but no one seconded him and Zuma later told the gathering there was nothing wrong with the family and that the issue of the Guptas was exaggerated.
He said he vividly remembered that one NEC member stood up and rubbished his claims.
He said the ANC NEC under Zuma was reluctant to discuss the Guptas and only did so when their scandals hit the media, such as when they landed a private aircraft at Waterkloof air force base in 2013 and emails detailing corrupt activities were leaked in 2017, among others. The commission will resume on Monday.