The Congress of South African Trade Unions has noted the unconvincing explanation by Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba that the fugitive Gupta brothers(Ajay and Atul) are not South African citizens. Unfortunately the Minister has a credibility crisis and we therefore find it difficult to believe him on this particular issue but also on matters of corruption and state capture in general.

We have seen and heard many conflicting statements and allegations on the question of the naturalisation of the Gupta family and we do not believe the minister and his departmental officials. We therefore call for an independent investigation into the controversial naturalisation process of the Gupta family. Expecting Minister Gigaba to be truthful about this matter is like expecting a rotund mouse to be honest about what happened to the missing cheese.

President Cyril Ramaphosa needs to take seriously and deal decisively with the issues of corruption because if he fails; he risks spending the next couple of months explaining away corruption allegations and scandals and his New era will be stillborn.  The president needs to personally sign proclamations authorising the Special Investigating Unit to investigate maladministration and corruption in government departments and state institutions implicated in corruption and state capture.

We also reiterate our position about the perils of recycling ministers and deputy ministers, especially the ones that did not acquit themselves well in their previous deployments. The ANC government cannot afford a business as usual approach when dealing with matters of corruption and maladministration.

Issued by COSATU

Sizwe Pamla (Cosatu National Spokesperson)

Tel: 011 339 4911
Fax: 011 339 5080
Cell: 060 975 6794