President Jacob Zuma says those who are calling for the Commission of Inquiry into state capture will regret it. He has argued that the probe may not just focus on the Public Protector report, but may also include corruption before 1994. The President was answering questions in the National Assembly.
It was heated and colourful as the president answered questions in last session. State Capture was once again a thorny debate. President Zuma reiterated his willingness to probe the matter.
“Even those who are most corrupt, they point fingers to others that they are corrupt. The truth will be found. If there are people who have said there was corruption before 1994 on the wealth of the state, on the properties of the state, so those who are calling for it, they are going to regret it.”
The President was also grilled about claims that he received a R1 million salary a month from a businessman,while he was a president.
President Zuma commented on this claim saying, “I did not receive any payments from private individuals or companies during my tenure as president of the republic of South Africa.”
He made a commitment to appoint a permanent National Police Commissioner.
President Zuma has promised to re-open drug and gang units in volatile areas and shared some light on a request for the deployment of army.
The much-talked-about nuclear build program is still on the cards, but the president was quick to deny that he was obsessed with the project and his failure to give a clear answer on the legal costs of his corruption cases led to a heated exchange.
Democratic Alliance leader, Mmusi Maimane, asked, “How much money and is Mr Zuma willing to pay for it in his personal capacity? That’s the question. It’s not that he does not know the answer. He must give us the answer.”
Chief Whip of the Inkatha Freedom Party, Narend Singh, says, “We also support the issue of the executive answering a simple question, written down questions, although they were sent well in advance of how much does it cost, full stop.”
But the President stuck to a rigid response. He directed lawmakers to the Justice Department.
“The manner I’ve answered says litigation referred to was not at the insistence of the president, because it was the case you were going to say you are wasting money Mr. President.”
The DA walked out in protest.
He also dismissed calls for Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini to be fired, saying she was compelled by the Constitutional Court to sort out the Sassa matter.
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