The Gupta family was denounced as a “political liability” by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) on Tuesday‚ as the federation said it believed African National Congress politicians who have accused them of trying to influence cabinet minister appointments.

President Jacob Zuma and his allies received support — but also a caution — from Cosatu‚ following an urgent meeting of its Political Commission on Tuesday‚ to debate the Constitutional Court ruling on Nkandla and its resultant political implications‚ as well as the other controversies dogging the tripartite alliance.

The meeting accepted the president’s apology and “commended him on his commitment to reimburse the state some of the monies spend on his Nkandla residence upgrades“.

However‚ it noted: “This court ruling should act as a wake-up call for both the executive and the National Assembly to do some serious introspection. They need to reflect deeply on what the court said and make sure that they do everything to win over the violated confidence of the people of South Africa“.

Despite this‚ Cosatu said ANC MPs should vote against the motion of no confidence in Zuma‚ brought by Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane for debate in Parliament on Tuesday.

“We agree that the ANC needs to clean house and openly acknowledge that issues such as corruption and corporate capture of the state are a big problem for the movement and its government. But that does not mean that we have to succumb to the machinations of the imperialist political forces that are in pursuit of a regime change agenda.

“...As a leader of society‚ the ANC should act to stop the corporate capture of the state‚ eliminate corruption and also make sure that its deployees execute their mandates with integrity and diligence. It should defend and protect its moral authority and standing by ensuring that there is discipline and accountability inside the organisation and in its government.

 “The movement should take urgent steps to dry the swamp in which these hypocritical opposition parties feed.”

Commenting on the Gupta family‚ Cosatu said it is “deeply worried by the role that the Guptas are playing to influence the state“.

“We have no reason not to believe the disciplined ANC cadres‚ who allege that they were offered positions by the Guptas.

“Our experiences with Guptas as employers mean that we will take the word of ANC cadres than listen to them. They have no regard for our labour laws in our country in areas where they do business.”

Cosatu urged Zuma to openly distance himself from the Gupta family. “He should reprimand them and make it clear that they do not have his tacit support or endorsement. Their overconfidence and bravado is proof that they view the relationship with the president and his family as a ticket to interfere in state and ANC affairs‚” the federation said.

“The Gupta family has embarrassed‚ weakened and divided the movement at all levels. They are a huge political liability.”