Institute legal inquiry into Guptas, says SACP

SA Communist Party (SACP) second deputy general secretary Solly Mapaila has suggested a judicial commission to probe issues relating to the Guptas and the “corporate capture” of government by businesses.

The SACP has led the fight against what it terms corporate capture, a reference to the disproportionate business influence exerted on government and its officials, and epitomised by the Guptas.

The Gupta family is close to President Jacob Zuma, and one of his sons, Duduzane, is a shareholder in a number of companies owned by the family.

Mapaila said it should not happen that any family had control over state organs or independent institutions.

“We have said that if there is nothing to hide on this matter, we call for a judicial commission of inquiry on corporate capture. That can include those [Guptas] and others.

“It is wrong that a movement that is elected by the people gets compromised by influential bodies outside the electorate.”

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe has lashed out at an “obsession” with the Guptas. He claims the furore over their influence was motivated by racial prejudice.

Other ANC leaders, including North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo, have said the Guptas should be commended for creating jobs.

Mapaila said: “Yes, we support job creation, and saving jobs will always be an important thing – that is what we are fighting for.

“But it does not mean that just because there is an opportunity for the possible looting of resources, we then allow the politically connected to be the ones who do that.”

Mapaila said South Africa was in “a difficult situation both with regard to our economy and as a country”.

He added: “On the economic front, big companies are not helping.

“They are threatening to lay off workers and, in doing so, any other intervention by any small grouping, including the Guptas or black business, is seen as saving jobs.”

An SACP insider said the party was not informed of the recent ANC-Gupta meeting.

They had learnt about it when they were made to wait at Luthuli House for a scheduled meeting.

Mapaila said: “We were told they were representing the business entity, not the family. It was a meeting between them and those people.”

The SACP was told that the meeting was prolonged because “of the number of questions raised”.

He said the SACP’s grievances, about corporate capture by the Guptas and the influence they exerted on Cabinet ministers, were still valid – despite the ANC’s meeting with the Guptas.

“Our issues still stand,” he said. “That they are dealing with the matter is important.

“The fundamentals we have raised as the SACP remain valid and must be addressed. They have taken a long time, but now their meeting shows a level of seriousness in that they seek to resolve this problem.”

He said, however, that the ANC was “defending the indefensible”.

“The ANC cannot just say that because they explained, they will take their word as truth.”

Mapaila said the ANC had not handled the Gupta situation well.

“If you look at debates, we never said this is the only problem. We also said monopoly capital, which includes a system of corporate capture in our movement, is also an issue where elements like BEE elites – because of their proximity – use that space to loot.”

Mapaila said there were no scheduled meetings between the SACP and the Guptas.

“We do not think it’s necessary, but if they want to meet us, I believe that perhaps we will consider that request.”

Gupta family spokesperson Gary Naidoo said: “While we have no knowledge of the call for a judicial commission and would not normally respond to matters we are unaware of, we would welcome any process that will end the wild speculation around our dealings with government.

“Our latest audited financials show that only 1% of our earnings come from government business. We are focused on growing our business and steer clear of politics.”

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