S. African ruling party welcomes court ruling on "state capture"

CAPE TOWN, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Wednesday welcomed a court ruling ordering President Jacob Zuma to establish a judicial commission of inquiry into alleged "state capture."

"The African National Congress welcomes the judgment of the North Gauteng High Court in relation to the (former) Public Protector's remedial action on the State of Capture Report, specifically the remedial action relating to the appointment of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry," the ANC said in a statement.

In the ruling meted out earlier in the day, the full bench of the court gave Zuma 30 days to appoint a judicial commission of inquiry into "state capture," to be headed by a judge appointed by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng.

The court also dismissed Zuma's application for review of the remedial action recommended by former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela in her report on "state capture."

The ruling dealt a heavy blow to Zuma who has been seeking an order by the North Gauteng High Court to have Madonsela's remedial actions, contained in her State of Capture Report, reviewed and set aside.

This judgment "brings us a step closer to the implementation of the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) resolution which directed that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of state capture be established without delay," ANC national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said.

A judicial inquiry is the only recourse in verifying the very serious allegations of "state capture" which threatens the integrity of the democratically elected government, said Kodwa. The Judicial Commission of Inquiry will provide everybody with an opportunity to tell their side of the story, he said.

The ANC, he said, believes that Zuma will act in accordance with this judgment without delay in the interest of the country.

Zuma has been accused of collaborating with the Indian Gupta family in looting the state coffers.

The Guptas allegedly exert undue influence on Zuma in the appointment of cabinet ministers and in the awarding of lucrative contracts with state-owned enterprises to the Guptas in what is called "state capture." Both Zuma and the Guptas have denied the accusations.

Also on Wednesday, Madonsela said she is happy with the court's ruling.

Zuma has a duty to investigate the matter the moment he found out about the allegations, Madonsela said.

Zuma has not commented about the ruling. A call to his office went unanswered. Enditem