PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa says law enforcement agencies were deliberately weakened to limit their ability to fight corruption and act against those involved in state capture.
Ramaphosa is currently testifying on day two of his appearance the State Capture Commission of Inquiry in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
He said that rebuilding law enforcement agencies will take some time as these ‘damaged institutions’ could not be restored with a “magic wand”.
“One of the targeted institutions during the period of state capture was law enforcement agencies. The damage done there has led to weakening of the rule of law where people acted with impunity and got away with misdeeds because law enforcement agencies were deliberately weakened,” Ramaphosa told the Zondo Commission.
“Those who captured the state populated law enforcement agencies with their acolytes and people who continued to their bidding.”
Earlier on Thursday morning, Ramaphosa said the ANC was “blindsided” by the fact that the Guptas were friends with the leader of the party – former president Jacob Zuma.
Ramaphosa said the current Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula was brave to say it in the ANC NEC meeting of 2011.
Ramaphosa said that the party didn’t do enough because the Guptas were friends of the then president.
This is a developing story. More details later.
- Inside Politics
