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Johannesburg - Public Service and Administration Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi's office has confirmed that it received a letter purporting to be drafted by former directors general calling for an inquiry into the allegations of state capture by the politically connected Gupta family.
Ramatlhodi's special advisor Mahlodi Sam Muofhe said the letter was addressed to the minister and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, but was not on a formal letterhead, which would have enabled them to understand the legal standing of it.
"It lacked factual specifics as it was couched in general terms wherein they are saying that a commission of inquiry should be established to look at what they called 'state capture' among other things," he said.
"While we appreciate their concern, that is if indeed they are the crafters of the letter, we however, say that our former directors general on the issue of the alleged 'state capture' should by now know that the secretary general of the ANC Mr Gwede Mantashe made a clarion call to all those who allege that the 'state is or may be captured' to come and make proper substantiated submissions on the issue in his office so that these allegations be investigated by his office."
Muofhe called on the former DGs to make their submissions collectively or individually to Mantashe.
According to CNB Africa, the letter was sent by 27 former DGs, which included Themba Maseko, Barry Gilder, Mpumi Mpofu, Ketso Gordhan, Thozi Gwanya, Itumeleng Mosala, Siphiwe Nyanda, Mo Shaik and Sipho Pityana.
It was reportedly also copied to President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and referred to "corrupt practices... [that] have been brought to our attention that are tantamount to breaking laws".
The group wanted the inquiry to investigate all senior political and administrative officials who might, in dealing with the Guptas, have contravened the Constitution, the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and the Public Service Act.
The DGs expressed their concern about reports that public officials, including heads of state owned entities, were being pressurised by private interests to willfully break procurement rules and the rules pertaining to transparent, fair and competency-based appointments.
"In particular, we express concern at recent revelations of alleged ‘state capture’ by the Gupta family, their apparent influence over political and administrative appointments, and their alleged involvement in the irregular facilitation, securing and issuing of government tenders and contracts," the letter reads.
Muofhe said flouting the PFMA and any other act was a serious offense and the former DGs had a duty to report anyone they thought allegedly flouted the laws.
"As citizens we are all enjoyed by the rule of law to execute our civic fiduciary duties by reporting anyone who violates the law to the relevant statutory state security agencies so that offenders be brought to account before our judicial courts," he said.
