DA leader Mmusi Maimane has laid charges of treason, corruption and racketeering against President Jacob Zuma and several others.
The charges were laid by Maimane at the Cape Town Police Station this morning and form a long list against Zuma and the Gupta brothers – Atul, Ajay and Rajesh – as well as Ashu Chawla (chief executive of Gupta-owned Sahara Computers), Nazeem Howa (director of various Gupta-linked companies and former CEO of Oakbay Investments), Mosebenzi Zwane (alleged Gupta-appointed Minister of Mineral Resources), Malusi Gigaba (alleged Gupta-appointed Minister of Finance), Faith Muthambi (alleged Gupta-appointed Minister of Communications), Des van Rooyen (alleged Gupta-appointed former Minister of Finance and current Minister of COGTA), Duduzane Zuma (director of Gupta-linked companies and oldest son of the president) and Matshela Koko (suspended Senior executive of Eskom).
The Guptas are profiteering from the misery of millions of South Africans. - @MmusiMaimane #StopStateCapture https://t.co/6TyqH0NOUQ
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) May 30, 2017
Maimane said that it was “clear from the evidence” that Zuma, the Guptas and the rest of the accused committed these offences “in concert with one another”.
The law must now take its course and those implicated must face criminal charges. -
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) May 30, 2017
@MmusiMaimane #StopStateCapture pic.twitter.com/Vi6q9NyTsM
These charges were laid after City Press and the Sunday Times revealed a paper trail of emails implicating the role that the Guptas played in capturing the state.
“The law must now take its course. Each of these individuals must be held accountable for their actions and must face the full force of the law,” Maimane said.
According to the charge sheet, Zuma is listed as “Accused No.1”, and his “corrupt relationship with the Gupta family has been a major source of discontent within both his own party – the ANC – and the South African public”.
The Gupta brothers are all listed as “Accused 2,3 and 4” respectively and the charge sheet states that “it was, inter-alia, alleged that Accused 2, 3 and 4 were offering Cabinet postions to chosen individuals and influencing the running of government.”
“The DA will pursue every available avenue until the corrupt State Capture project that has undermined and crippled key institutions of the state, is stopped and the ANC is removed from power. We will not allow Zuma Inc. to continue to steal from our people. We must earnestly focus South Africa towards building a prosperous nation, where jobs can be created for all,” Maimane said.