Full probe needed into “Guptagate”

18 March 2016

When the infamous Gupta-Waterkloof military airport incident took place, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation stated that:

“The proud legacy of struggle by our leaders and people must never be eroded by the disdainful deeds of a single family that attempts to wield power through the peddling of influence over high profile politicians and civil servants. South Africans need to understand why and how a single family has come to wield such enormous power and influence over sections of government and its administration.”

Today, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation reaffirms this statement.

The confirmation by Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas that he was approached and offered the job of finance minister before the sacking of former Minister Nhlanhla Nene once more puts the spotlight on the need to probe the political influence and power of the Gupta family. We note also that since the Deputy Minister’s statement other public representatives have come forward with similar claims.

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation supports the call made by leaders of various sectors of society for an independent and impartial judicial commission of inquiry into the allegations that have been made thus far. Furthermore, it calls on other public representatives who may have been subjected to similar approaches from the Gupta family to come forward and expose any such sinister interactions and conduct.

We believe that the time has come for all South Africans to speak out against the growing leadership crisis that is unfolding in our country. We cannot allow our country and its democratic institutions to be taken over by a kleptocracy. Our focus must be on attaining the vision of the Freedom Charter and the Constitution. We owe this to the millions of our people who sacrificed so much to make our democracy possible. We owe it to the millions who still need to taste the fruits of freedom.

Issued by Neeshan Balton, Executive Director: Ahmed Kathrade Foundation, 18 March 2016