This archive report was first published on 9 October 2019.
On October 9, 2019, the South African Communist Party (SACP) called for action on state capture, stating that enough evidence had been presented at the Judicial Inquiry into state capture for prosecutors to pursue leads.
The call to action came after former President Jacob Zuma's son, Duduzane, testified at the Justice Raymond Zondo commission, where he appeared relaxed and blamed the outrage over the Gupta business family's influence on public contracts on politics.
However, the closeness of the Guptas to the Zumas was evident, as Duduzane referred to one of the Gupta's, Rajesh, as 'my guy' and reminisced about meetings he held at the Guptas' Saxonwold base.
The SACP spokesperson, Alex Mashilo, emphasized the need for the commission to independently evaluate the testimonies of all witnesses, not just Duduzane, and recommend appropriate action against anyone who is culpable or perjured.
"There are cases we believe the NPA through its newly established investigative unit should take up immediately and follow through further investigation and prosecution based on the evidence available," Dr Mashilo said.
During his testimony, Duduzane questioned statements made by evidence leader Philip Mokoena and rubbished the testimony of former finance minister Mcebisi Jonas, who said he could not recall the circumstances under which the Gupta family offered him a R600 million ($42 million) bribe.
ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe defended the commission during an OR Tambo lecture in Kuils River on the cape flats, stating that the commission has come under attack over the credibility of some witnesses and questioning the senior as if he was on trial.
Lucky Vuma, an independent political analyst and history lecturer at the University of Limpopo, dismissed Mr Zuma's testimony as unconvincing, saying that Duduzane remains the golden boy of the Zuma family who was chosen to safeguard the narrow selfish interests of his family at the expense of the South Africans.
