S.Africa's Ramaphosa says he tried to resist corruption as ex-president
Zuma's deputy
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[August 11, 2021]
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa's
President Cyril Ramaphosa, testifying at a graft inquiry on Wednesday,
said he chose to "remain but resist" rather than resign as deputy
president when allegations of widespread corruption surfaced under his
predecessor Jacob Zuma.
Ramaphosa, Zuma's number two from May 2014 to February 2018, has made
the fight against corruption a pillar of his presidency, though
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.
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa appears to testify before
the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture in Johannesburg,
South Africa, August 11, 2021. REUTERS/ Sumaya Hisham
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.
(Reporting by Wendell Roelf; Editing by Joe Bavier and Angus MacSwan)
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