S. African president to appoint commission of inquiry into "state capture"

CAPE TOWN, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- South African President Jacob Zuma announced Tuesday that he decided to appoint a commission of inquiry into state capture.

This decision was made pursuant to the investigation and remedial action recommended by former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela regarding allegations of state capture as well as a court order on this matter, Zuma said in a statement issued by his office.

The North Gauteng High Court ruled on December 14 that Zuma should appoint a commission of inquiry into state capture within 30 days, headed by a judge solely selected by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng.

Soon after the ruling, Zuma applied to appeal the ruling, saying the decision to call for a commission of inquiry into state capture was based on "untested suspicions" and "prima facie evidence."

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.

In his Tuesday statement, Zuma said he is concerned that this matter has occupied the public mind for some time now and deserves urgent attention.

It is of such serious public concern that any further delay will make the public doubt the government's determination to dismantle corruption, and entrench the public perception that the state has been captured by private interests for nefarious and self-enrichment purposes, the president said.

Zuma said the commission should have more resources to reach areas of concern that may not have been reached by the former Public Protector's investigation.

"I have considered this matter very carefully, including the unprecedented legal implications of the order directing the Chief Justice to select a single judge to head the commission of inquiry," the president said.

"I would like to emphasize that I have faith in all the judges and their ability to execute their tasks with the requisite levels of fairness, impartiality and independence," Zuma added. Enditem