Zondo commission hears of ANC divisions during Gupta inquiry
The commission of inquiry into state capture has heard of sharp divisions among African National Congress (ANC) MPs when the allegations of state capture by the Guptas emerged in 2016.
The former chairperson of the public enterprises committee Zukiswa Rantho appeared before the commission on Tuesday.
Rantho's committee investigated allegations of state capture at Eskom in 2017.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) brought a motion for an inquiry into the allegations, something which was only moved on a year later.
"The issue of the Inquiry was taken to the caucus of the ANC and in the caucus, it was discussed and therefore there were members who felt that it was not necessary to have an inquiry. Some of the members believed that if the inquiry continued, ANC members might be implicated and that would divide the ANC."
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Rantho added that some were concerned that an inquiry would taint the party’s image.
She also told the commission that she was the victim of intimidation once the inquiry began.
"There was a lot of pressure from people who did not want us to continue with the inquiry. But chairperson, we were living in fear and when I informed National Assembly Speaker (Baleka Mbete) about the intimidations, there was someone who was appointed to come and evaluate the risk to myself and my family."
Rantho said she believed she was not sent back to Parliament by the ANC because of the investigation.
