How does the president view Gumede's appointment?
He has not been in his office for a week, so I'm not aware that he has been appraised of this matter.
Does the presidency have a view?
The presidency will respect decisions taken at a particular level of government. But if those decisions are controversial, there will be inquiries by the presidency.
Have you made any inquiries?
We have not communicated with the province because our principals have not been in the office.
Where does it leave presidential statements about corruption?
The president engages with our premiers, MECs and mayors . he has been upfront on all of us fighting corruption.
How widely do they share his commitment?
That can only be measured on actions that are taken.
So not very widely?
That's not what I'm saying. There have been serious actions around the issue of corruption by the province of Gauteng.
It's been ignored in the presidency by his own spokesperson, hasn't it?
And you'll know what we did immediately we became aware.
So when it comes to corruption, you're on the same page?
If any one of us acts outside of that commitment that person must be dealt with.
What about [ANC secretary-general] Ace Magashule?
I am not at liberty to speak for the ANC leadership.
This is about the presidential commitment to fighting corruption, isn't it?
The president has raised the issue in the NEC [national executive committee] very strongly, that all of us with a cloud hanging over our heads must be accountable.
Including Ace Magashule?
There are processes that the NEC is engaging on as it relates to all of us who might have clouds hanging over our heads.
Does the NEC share the president's commitment?
The NEC did not mince its words: that all of us who are involved in corruption, even at the highest level of the leadership of the ANC, must account.
Magashule says there's nothing wrong with a politician's family doing business with the state. What is the view of the presidency?
If my son were to have tenders in government, that will be frowned upon. The reality is there will be a view that he has used my connections to access tenders.
He says all ANC leaders do business with the state.
I am an ANC leader. I have never done any business with the state.
Are you concerned about the popular backlash against ANC corruption?
All of us should be. The issue is, what does the ANC do about it?
Nothing?
No, no, it's not nothing.
Has it done anything about Magashule?
The ANC has said all those involved in corrupt activities must be brought to book.
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