CAPE TOWN, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Monday urged its members to offer their full cooperation to an inquiry into state capture.
This came after the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, began its first long-awaited hearing on Monday, with former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas and former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor among the first group of witnesses to testify.
The commission will first deal with the influence of the controversial Indian Gupta family on the appointment of ministers and boards of state-owned entities under the administration of former president Jacob Zuma.
Zuma and a number of senior government officials were also accused of collaborating with the Guptas in looting from state coffers.
"The ANC urges its members and others who are summoned to appear before the commission to offer their full cooperation to the commission, so that the country can deal with this difficult chapter," the party said in a statement emailed to Xinhua.
"The allegations and reports on this matter have done immense damage to the image of the country and the confidence of ordinary citizens in state institutions," ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe said.
Therefore it's crucial to ensure that the commission completes its work expeditiously, Mabe said.
In May last year, the ANC National Executive Committee endorsed the establishment of the judicial commission to investigate the alleged state capture.
The commission will assist to ensure that where wrongdoing was done, appropriate action is taken and people are held accountable.
The ANC has repeatedly said it wants to see the facts and truth to come to light even though a number of its senior members are involved in state capture allegations.
