President Cyril Ramaphosa has admitted that members of his African National Congress (ANC) party engaged in acts of state capture and corruption for a number of years.
According to Times Live, Ramaphosa acknowledged that his party could have reacted as early as 2011 to allegations of state capture, when ANC NEC members told an NEC meeting about how the Gupta family knew about his appointment before it was known to him.
Ramaphosa said this as he appeared in the hot seat at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday.
He was expected during the next two days, to answer questions relating to his oversight role and alleged participation in the state capture during his predecessor Jacob Zuma’s tenure.
Opening Statement by @MYANC President @CyrilRamaphosa before the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture
28 April 2021 #ANCRenewal pic.twitter.com/Wkve07noo9
— African National Congress (@MYANC) April 28, 2021
Ramaphosa will be wearing his cap as president of the ANC during his two-day appearance at the commission.
“State capture took place under our watch as the governing party” Ramaphosa told the commission in his opening address.
He said state capture took off in the party because of the divisions that have manifested in the ANC since 1994.
“State capture took place under our watch as the governing party. It involved some members and leaders of our organisation and it found fertile ground in the divisions, weaknesses and tendencies that have developed in our organisation since 1994,” IOL quoted Ramaphosa as saying.
He said the ANC would not protect corrupt party members.
“Such members must face the full legal consequences of their actions. They cannot rely on the ANC for support or protection, nor may they appeal to the principle of collective responsibility,” he said, adding that the era of state capture would be “relegated to history”.
Picture: Cape Town etc gallery