President Cyril Ramaphosa says there was no agenda behind the removal of acting director-general Loyiso Jafta.
Jafta was removed in March 2021 after acting in the role since 2018.
He clashed with former State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo who tried to stop him from testifying at the commission in January.
Dlodlo accused Jafta of undermining her authority by not consulting with her about what he would reveal to the commission.
Ramaphosa says it was a human resources issue.
“With Jafta, he was an acting director general and his acting period had been renewed a number of times – to a point where there was some regulation which suggests that you cannot keep renewing the acting role. You therefore needed to change that and bring in another acting person or bring in something else,” explains the President.
Ramaphosa is however unable to account for the shutting down of the State Security Agency’s internal investigation into which two members, Ms K and Mr Y testified about at the commission.
Red flags
Earlier Ramaphosa said red flags were raised about corruption and the Guptas as early as 2011 but those allegedly involved had protection from various structures.
#sabcnews Ramaphosa says ANC is taking serious steps to cleanse the party and the state. Says part of this on-going process is strengthening the Integrity Commission
— Busi Chimombe (@BusiBopela) August 12, 2021
He also told the commission’s chairperson Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo that he was not aware of the close relationship between former cabinet minister Malusi Gigaba and the Guptas.
“A number of key people were placed inside and outside the state and strategically placed and played the role of fully capturing the state and achieving the ends that they had in mind. It was a web and if you could connect the dots you will find that the dots do connect,” he says. -Additional reporting by Amina Accram
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