The Democratic Alliance (DA) has asked Speaker Baleka Mbete to appoint an ad hoc parliamentary committee to probe ties between President Jacob Zuma, Cabinet ministers and the Gupta family.
“Parliament is mandated by the Constitution to hold the executive accountable. For this reason, the DA has today requested that National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete establish an ad hoc committee to fully probe the relations of captured ministers, the president and the Gupta family,” party leader Mmusi Maimane said yesterday.
Maimane said the request would require a debate in the National Assembly, where the opposition hoped ANC MPs would “put South Africa first” and support setting up the committee.
He said allegations of collusion with the Guptas needed to be probed against Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba, Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown, Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane and Local Government Minister Des van Rooyen.
He added that he was concerned the oft-used term state capture had become a euphemism.
“It is grand corruption and theft at the highest levels. It is a mafia state.”