Pull the other one, Zizi

Do not believe the ANC when it tells you the party is not on trial at the state capture commission of inquiry. The testimony this week by senior executives of three of our biggest banks disproves this, making it clear that the ANC is indeed on trial. Writing in this newspaper last month, Zizi Kodwa, the ruling party’s chief propagandist who is now the head of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office at Luthuli House, warned us not to accuse the ANC of enabling the capturing of our institutions by the Gupta family. “Others have been quick to suggest that the commission translates to placing the ANC on trial, yet forget that the very commission is a consequence of the ANC commitment to dealing a death blow to corruption,” he wrote.

It is understandable that the ANC would like those accused of stealing from the state to be isolated from the party and stand before the commission as individuals. But as we enter week five of the inquiry what is becoming clear is that not only is the ANC on trial, the evidence points to the ruling party having played a leading role in enabling the capturing of our state institutions and the looting of billions of our tax rands from the public purse.

If you still don’t believe this, read the testimony of the bankers. They told how the banks were threatened and put under pressure by the ANC to reverse their decision to close Gupta bank accounts. Who led the charge? Gwede Mantashe and his economics head-honcho Enoch Godongwana, and cabinet ministers Mosebenzi Zwane and Mildred Oliphant. We will not be fooled.