COPE says the ANC is shifting attention from the Gupta scandal

Simamkele Vakaza

24 March 2016

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday, confirmed that the Gupta family is not the only one trying to exert their control over the state. Ramaphosa was addressing the ANC summit for academics and businesses. He said the ANC has set up a structure to deal with the matter of alleged state capture.

His statement comes after questions arose about President Jacob Zuma's close relationship with the Gupta family last week. The wealthy family had allegedly reportedly exercised undue influence by offering senior ANC members Cabinet posts.

However, said Ramaphosa, ANC members who claim to have been approached with such offers must present concrete evidence.

Meanwhile, the Congress of the People spokesperson, Dennis Bloem in a statement says the ANC must not undermine the intelligence of South African Citizens. He says it is clear that the party is developing a plan to cover up the Gupta scandal

“This thing of Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC who wanted to divert the whole debate about the Guptas and President Zuma, the corruption between them”, said Dennis Bloem, COPE spokesperson.

“It’s totally unacceptable, we are saying that over the few weeks nobody has pointed a finger to any other business people except for the Guptas and Zuma”, said Bloem.

“When Vytjie Mentor, Themba Maseko, Mcebisi Jonas came out and exposed this corruption it was not any other business people but the Guptas and Zuma”, He concluded.