Pretoria - The ANC expressed its full confidence in
President Jacob Zuma after a much anticipated meeting of its top leadership
ending on Sunday, but also came out in support of those who spoke out against
the Gupta family.
The ruling party called on members with proof about the
Gupta family interfering in the running of the country and allegedly appointing
ministers to come forward with the information.
“Politically they will be protected which is why we want
them to come forward. I want to demystify the notion that if you come forward
you are immune from any action in the organisation. For example, I’m a minister
and I came forward and there is a reshuffle and I’m reshuffled. Will that be
seen as punishment? We can’t allow disclosure to be used as protection but
politically the ANC will protect them,” said secretary general Gwede Mantashe.
FULL TEXT: ANC NEC statement
Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas and former MP
Vytjie Mentor have claimed that they were offered Cabinet positions by the
Gupta family. The pair went public with the news and the ANC Youth League
called on the mother body to recall Jonas. Mantashe said that would not happen.
He said they would be protected but warned that
disclosure could not be used as a shield to being reshuffled.
He said when members came forward with information; the
party would be able to take concrete action going and steps.
“The ANC doesn’t listen to the hype. If the organisation
was to work like that, you would have no organisation. It must get information,
process it and take concrete decisions. We are not saying we are dismissing any
allegations. People must come forward. At this point in time, taking a decision
because there is hype in the media, many people will be injured,” said Mantashe.
He also reprimanded the youth league for saying Jonas
should be removed, describing it as "ill-discipline".
“That falls in the category of ill-discipline. You don’t
go to a rally and ask for the removal of a member of the ANC. If you have an
issue, raise that in the ANC. The ANC has many structures that are very
decisive in taking action. You don’t just shout it at a rally and it will
happen. It doesn’t work like that,” he said.
