South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) has set up a taskforce to compile its response to recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture that probed allegations of high-level corruption during former president Jacob Zuma’s tenure.
ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said the party’s National Executive Committee has agreed to establish a dedicated committee “that will be seen to be looking into the ANC’s response to what is coming out of the Zondo Commission.”
“Now that these findings are being placed out in the public, to make sure that we coordinate ourselves better let us have a dedicated team that is going to work out the formulation of our own response,” Mabe said.
The third volume of the inquiry report – which was handed over to President Cyril Ramaphosa this week and dwelled on the activities of controversial firm Bosasa – recommended, among other things, that former president Jacob Zuma, Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe and former water minister Nomvula Mokonyane be investigated for alleged corruption.
The report has also fingered Deputy Defence Minister Thabang Makwetla, ANC member of parliament Cedrick Frolick and former ruling party lawmaker Vincent Smith as candidates for further probe.
Zuma has rejected the allegations, arguing that he was not afforded the opportunity to respond to the accusations.
Mantashe, who is also ANC national chairman, has vowed not to step down from his two positions until a court has established the veracity of the allegations against him.
NM/jn/APA