Bring us proof on the Guptas - Mantashe

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.

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. 

This article first appeared on News24 – see here.