Maseko to offer Gupta info

Former Cabinet spokesman Themba Maseko last night said he would be the first to go to ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe's office to provide information about the controversial Gupta family’s alleged influence in state affairs.

"I'll be among the first to go and give my submission to (Mantashe's) office. Don't worry about that," he said on Twitter last night.

He was responding to the ANC's call on the likes of Maseko, former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor and Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas who have made similar claims, to approach Mantashe’s office so the ANC could investigate the allegations against the Gupta family.

“The NEC mandated officials and the NWC to gather all pertinent information about the allegations to enable the ANC to take appropriate action on this matter. “The ANC calls on all members who have information to approach the S-G’s office,” an ANC statement said.

But the ruling party closed ranks around its president Jacob Zuma – affirming it's "full confidence" in him and saying he would not be recalled anytime soon, despite the growing criticism of his questionable relationship with the Guptas

Maseko was yesterday reported in the Sunday Times as saying Zuma called him to ensure he met with the Gupta family at their home in Saxonwold, Johannesburg. Once there he was told by the family to channel state advertising to the family’s New Age newspaper.

Meanwhile Mantashe said the NEC rejected with “contempt” any possibility of any business or family group influencing the appointment of cabinet ministers and deputies or posts in state-owned entities.

But after robust discussions on the allegations around the Guptas, the NEC would be speaking to the Gupta family this week.

Meanwhile no action would be taken against Jonas, who went public with a claim that the Guptas had offered him the post of Minister of Finance.

Jonas had done “an honourable thing”, said Mantashe.

The NEC also wanted the “speedy resolution of the unseemly public spats between the Minister of Finance and public agencies”.

Meanwhile a second cabinet minister – Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom – joined the chorus of concern rising about a possible “state capture”.

Hanekom was one of three signatories of a hard-hitting letter addressed to the ANC national executive committee (NEC) from three foundations representing family and comrades of Nelson Mandela, Oliver and Aidelade Tambo and Ahmed Kathrada.

The letter was also signed by Professor Njabulo Ndebele, chair of the board of trustees of the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Dr Frene Ginwala, acting chairperson of the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation.

Hanekom signed on behalf of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation.

The letter expressed alarm about the security of South Africa’s democracy and about the ANC drifting away from its founders’ ideals, and appealed to the NEC to act in the country’s interests at this “watershed moment”.

In their letter, the three foundations said they could no longer stand and silently watch events unfold in the ANC and the country.

“(We) write to you at a difficult time in the history of the African National Congress and our country, South Africa.

“It seems to us that the ANC has significantly drifted away from the ideals to which our founders and many others, dedicated their lives.

“We are deeply concerned about the current course on which our country is headed.

“We believe this course is contrary to the individual and collective legacy of our founders.”

The letter went on to say “we see important institutions of democracy such as parliament under great strain ...

“We believe we have reached a watershed moment. We appeal to the NEC .... to take note of the mood of the people across the country, to reflect deeply on their solemn responsibilities, to make urgent choices, and to take urgent corrective actions in the best interest of South Africa and its peoples.

“History will judge the ANC leadership harshly if it fails to take the decisions that will restore the trust and confidence of the people of South Africa.”