State capture report contains no binding findings conferring guilt on any party: ANC

The observations and remedial actions in the state capture report are inconclusive and contain no binding findings conferring guilt on any party, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) said on Tuesday.

The report of the Public Protector rather calls for the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into allegations of improper relationships and involvement of private interests in the running of the affairs of the state, the party said in its first official objection to the state capture report.

The report, compiled by former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and released on November 2, shed light on how the wealthy Indian Gupta family used their close relations with President Jacob Zuma to influence the appointment of cabinet ministers and CEOs of state-run enterprises.

The report prompted growing calls for Zuma to resign. There also have been calls by ANC veterans for the party to hold a Special National Executive Committee to discuss the matter.

Parties who have been implicated in the report are intending to take the report on judicial review.

"The ANC cannot therefore pre-empt the outcome of that process, hence the proposals received to convene a Special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to consider the report were not acceded to," ANC national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said.

Calls for the president to step down using the report as a basis are premature and unfounded, Kodwa said.

The ANC has noted the comments made in the public domain by veterans of the movement expressing concern about developments within the country and the ANC, he said.

Kodwa reiterated the ANC's commitment to frank, open and constructive engagement with all parties and individuals who wish to engage and work with the party to strengthen the organisation so as to deliver effectively on the aspirations of the South African people.

As a matter of principle, the ANC supports the setting up of a Commission of Inquiry, however due regard must be given to the Constitutional prescripts that guide the establishment of such Commission, said Kodwa.

Referring to a request by the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) to table a motion of no confidence against Zuma, Kodwa said the DA has made this an annual and frivolous ritual that is fast losing its meaning.

At least once a year Parliament must be subjected to discussing a motion of no confidence brought by the DA and with no prospect of succeeding, Kodwa said.

For the last two years, two motions of no confidence against Zuma have been defeated in Parliament which is controled by the ANC.

Kodwa said however that the ANC has considered the state capture report and regards the issues contained therein very serious.

"The ANC reaffirms its commitment to fighting corruption wherever it is found. It is for this reason, the ANC would have brought this matter to the public domain and sought to internally investigate allegations of state capture," he said. Endit