Why I Remained Zuma’s Deputy Despite Rampant Corruption — Ramaphosa

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, said he chose to
“remain but resist” rather than resign as deputy president when
allegations of widespread corruption surfaced under his predecessor
Jacob Zuma.

The South African leader said this while testifying at a graft
inquiry on Wednesday.

Ramaphosa, Zuma’s number two from May 2014 to February 2018, has
made the fight against corruption a pillar of his presidency.

However, opposition parties have criticised him for not doing
enough to stop the rot during his time as deputy.

Appearing for the second time at an inquiry probing allegations
of graft during Zuma’s nine years in power, Ramaphosa said the
first option available to him was to resign as deputy
president.

While this would have earned him praise from many quarters, he
said, it would have “significantly impaired” his ability to end
corruption.

He said he ultimately opted to “remain but to resist, hoping
that we can turn things around”.

Ramaphosa defeated Zuma’s ex-wife to win the leadership position
in the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in 2017 then helped
engineer Zuma’s ouster as president.

“With the benefit of hindsight, I am certain that this was the
necessary and correct course of action,” he said.

The inquiry, headed by acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, is
looking into allegations including that Zuma allowed businessmen
close to him – brothers Atul, Ajay, and Rajesh Gupta – to influence
policy and win lucrative government contracts.

The Gupta brothers have repeatedly denied corruption accusations
and are now believed to be living in Dubai.

Zuma has denied corruption was prevalent under his
administration.

He claims the inquiry is politically motivated and has refused
to fully cooperate with it.

His imprisonment last month for ignoring a court order to
testify before the Zondo commission ignited some of the worst
violence in post-apartheid South Africa.

Zuma, who is serving a 15-month sentence, was admitted to
hospital last week, forcing the postponement of a separate
corruption trial.

Widely referred to domestically as “state capture”, the
influence of the Gupta’s extended network only became known through
investigative journalists and whistleblowers at state-owned
companies, including power utility Eskom and freight logistics firm
Transnet. (Reuters/NAN)

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, said he chose to
“remain but resist” rather than resign as deputy president when
allegations of widespread corruption surfaced under his predecessor
Jacob Zuma.

The South African leader said this while testifying at a graft
inquiry on Wednesday.

Ramaphosa, Zuma’s number two from May 2014 to February 2018, has
made the fight against corruption a pillar of his presidency.

However, opposition parties have criticised him for not doing
enough to stop the rot during his time as deputy.

Appearing for the second time at an inquiry probing allegations
of graft during Zuma’s nine years in power, Ramaphosa said the
first option available to him was to resign as deputy
president.

While this would have earned him praise from many quarters, he
said, it would have “significantly impaired” his ability to end
corruption.

He said he ultimately opted to “remain but to resist, hoping
that we can turn things around”.

Ramaphosa defeated Zuma’s ex-wife to win the leadership position
in the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in 2017 then helped
engineer Zuma’s ouster as president.

“With the benefit of hindsight, I am certain that this was the
necessary and correct course of action,” he said.

The inquiry, headed by acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, is
looking into allegations including that Zuma allowed businessmen
close to him – brothers Atul, Ajay, and Rajesh Gupta – to influence
policy and win lucrative government contracts.

The Gupta brothers have repeatedly denied corruption accusations
and are now believed to be living in Dubai.

Zuma has denied corruption was prevalent under his
administration.

He claims the inquiry is politically motivated and has refused
to fully cooperate with it.

His imprisonment last month for ignoring a court order to
testify before the Zondo commission ignited some of the worst
violence in post-apartheid South Africa.

Zuma, who is serving a 15-month sentence, was admitted to
hospital last week, forcing the postponement of a separate
corruption trial.

Widely referred to domestically as “state capture”, the
influence of the Gupta’s extended network only became known through
investigative journalists and whistleblowers at state-owned
companies, including power utility Eskom and freight logistics firm
Transnet. (Reuters/NAN)