It is quite clear from testimony at the state capture inquiry over the past week that the ANC can no longer claim it wasn’t aware, as far back as 2010, that the controversial Gupta family was pulling the strings of then president Jacob Zuma. The skeletons have been tumbling out of the closet as witness after witness has told the commission of being contacted by the Guptas in one way or another, and then reporting this to leaders of the ruling party. The ANC has always maintained it was not aware that the Guptas were influencing cabinet appointments and the running of the state. After revelations in 2016 by former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas that the Gupta family had offered him a bribe and the job of finance minister, the ANC national executive committee called on party members to approach the secretary-general’s office if they had any information on such matters. This came to nought; Gwede Mantashe, secretary-general at the time, said only one person came forward to make ...

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