ANC met with Standard and Poor's ahead of possible downgrade
The question of a possible economic downgrade was brought up at the ANC's press briefing following the ruling party's National List Conference.
This comes in light of Standard and Poor's announcement on Friday that could see South Africa slide into junk status.
ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe said they have recently met with Standards and Poor's and explained that they work to uplift the economy to the advantage of the whole country and not to impress international ratings agencies.
He said they met with the agency representatives and told them to rate South Africa based on what was being done.
"One the issues that was raised was political, there is a coming conference of the ANC where there will be a contest and the question we ask that when there is a contest in the Labour Party in Britain, there is no hullabaloo. Why should it be political instability when we go to a conference? We go to a conference every five years," he said.
Guptas and State Capture
The ANC was also dealing with serious allegations over the wealthy Gupta family's capture of the state.
"Eight, to be exact, came forward to engage with the office of the Secretary General. It is unfortunate that only one of them could make a written submission on the matter," Manstashe said.
Mantashe added they've since realised that anyone wanting to come forward, would need institutional protection.
The issue of alleged Gupta influence came to light at the beginning of the year, when Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas said he was called to the family's Johannesburg residence and offered the post of Finance Minister, before former minister Nhlanhla Nene was suddenly axed.
"The allegation made was serious, they cannot be treated lightly and many warrant a comprehensive investigation. When people fear making written submissions, that means they need protection that is institutional and the ANC NEC is agreeing that peopel can use that option now," he said.