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Ramaphosa urges action against state capture as FBI shows up SA agencies

Caption: ANC Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa delivering a message from the ANC during the 14th Congress of the SACP held at Birchwood Hotel. /a Masi Losi
Caption: ANC Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa delivering a message from the ANC during the 14th Congress of the SACP held at Birchwood Hotel. /a Masi Losi

Presidential hopeful Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africa's law enforcement authorities to fast-track investigations into claims of state capture.

Speaking at the Cadres Assembly in Mahikeng, Ramaphosa urged state institutions not to be overtaken by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), who have opened an investigation into the controversial Gupta family and their involvement in state capture.

Ramaphosa said: "Right now foreigners have started to investigate us as South Africa because of state capture.

"The FBI is now investigating us because the perception is that South Africa is seen as a corrupt country because the state has been captured.

"That is why we are calling on the Hawks and the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority] and all our investigating authorities to immediately start investigating this issue of state capture. we will not be defeated by the Americans," Ramaphosa said.

His remarks come days after it was revealed that the FBI was investigating the Gupta brothers' nephews, Ashish and Amol on allegations of corruption and money laundering.

The two are US nationals and directors of a US-based medical company.

Ramaphosa, who received a roaring welcome from hundreds of ANC members clad in #CR17 Siyavuma T-shirts, said "it's a shame" that the FBI started investigating state capture allegations, when South Africa has institutions that can do the same job.

The Guptas - President Jacob Zuma's friends - have been criticised by ANC members, opposition parties and civil society for their involvement in cabinet appointments.

This was after leaked Gupta business e-mails revealed how government officials and officials at state-owned companies bent over backwards to accommodate the Guptas in securing government tenders.

Despite the ANC's national executive committee deciding Zuma should institute a commission of inquiry into state capture, the president has yet to do so.