ANC calls for judicial inquiry into state capture
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the African National Congress (ANC) has come out in support for the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry into allegations of state capture.
ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe has briefed the media following the NEC meeting in Irene this weekend.
"The NEC reflected on the period which has been politically hectic for the organisation. Such a period we defined as having heightened levels of state of restlessness in society, requiring the ANC to develop an approach to provide leadership in this regard," says Mantashe.
Mantashe says the commission should be established without delay.
"The terms of reference of such a commission of inquiry must be broad enough to uncover the influence of business on the state. The NEC expressed its desire to see processes of reviewing the Public Protector's State of Capture report accelerated so that they are not an obstacle to dispute the establishment of the inquiry," says Mantashe.
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This was the first ANC NEC meeting since President Jacob Zuma's controversial cabinet reshuffle. Calls for him to be recalled has grown amid accusations of the involvement of the wealthy Gupta family in state affairs.
President Zuma, however, survived a recall.
Mantashe has confirmed that calls were made for President Zuma to step down as leader of the country.
"This we considered to be part of a broader discussion characterized by the restlessness manifesting itself in society, where certain sections have made similar calls," says Mantashe.
"A number of members of the NEC were of the view that the ANC should listen to this call. Various contributions in support of and against the appeal to President to step down were raised. Many more were neither in favour nor against the appeal but emphasized the need for unity within the organization."
Mantashe says the NEC also confirmed its confidence in members deployed in Parliament ahead of the motion of no confidence in President Zuma.
"Regardless of whether a secret ballot is granted or not by the Constitutional Court, ANC MPs are expected to vote in line with the decision of the caucus of the ANC," says Mantashe.
Video by Samkelo Maseko