Johannesburg - The SA Communist Party says it has reliably learnt from several sources that another “Gupta-inspired cabinet shuffle” is on the cards.
It said in a statement on Thursday that the plan was to replace long-serving Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies, with a recently sworn in ANC MP and businessperson.
While it did not name the MP, speculation in the media has been that it is Sfiso Buthelezi, who was recently sworn in.
“The motivation for the intended shuffle is connected to the Gupta family interests in acquiring a stake in ArcelorMittal, and their concern that the Department of Trade and Industry under the leadership of Minister Davies, as part of its commitment to localisation and job creation, is setting tough pricing conditions on the sale of steel into the downstream South African manufacturing sector,” the party said.
Read also: Nene mum on Gupta influence
It reiterated its calls for a broad spectrum investigation into the phenomenon of corporate state capture and a judicial commission of enquiry to reveal the nature, character and extent of the problem, and to contribute on the way forward to deal decisively with the problem.
The controversial Gupta family are not the first people in business to attempt to influence the government. However what is different this time round, is the alleged control they have over President Jacob Zuma and much of cabinet, as well as the brazen manner in which they exercise that power.
The SACP said it would seek engagement with the ANC and the alliance as a whole to discuss the problem in general, and specifically growing evidence of the “manipulation of political appointments by the Gupta family”.
Read also: ‘Zuma is not untouchable’
“Failure to deal with the harmful problem of corporate capture in our movement, society in general and the State will hamstring not only the capacity of the State but also the whole of South Africa in safeguarding its constitutional democracy and democratic national sovereignty,” it concluded.
Yesterday Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas shocked the nation when he confirmed rumours that the Gupta family had offered him the position of finance minister.
LABOUR BUREAU