JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- The state capture commission of inquiry will probe whether South Africa's former president Jacob Zuma played any part in the alleged offering of cabinet positions to former Deputy Minister of Finance Mcebisi Jonas and ex-MP Vytjie Mentor by the controversial Gupta family.
The much anticipated inquiry began in Johannesburg with the Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo outlining the terms and references of the inquiry set to take place for two years.
"In particular, the commission must investigate the veracity of allegations that former deputy finance minister and Mentor were offered cabinet positions by the Gupta family and whether the President had any role in the alleged offer," Zondo said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed the commission to investigate allegations of state capture, fraud and corruption in the public state.
The inquiry stems from the findings made in the State Capture report by the former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela that alleged improper relationship between Zuma and the Gupta family in the appointment of cabinet ministers and directors at state owned companies which benefited the family.
In 2016, Jonas alleged that Ajay Gupta offered him a post of Finance Minister and R600m bribe in exchange for executive decisions favorable to the interests of the Gupta family.
According to South Africa's Constitution, only the president can appoint and dismiss cabinet ministers.
Zondo said the inquiry would establish if the allocation and the distribution of state resources was determined by a network of individuals both inside and outside government.
"It bears emphasis that state capture is not just about corruption. It is not even about widespread corruption. Corruption may be part of State Capture, but it is more than that," said the Judge.
He added that, "State Capture would concern a network of relationships both inside and outside government, whose objectives is to ensure the repurposing of government departments, officials and state owned entities for private gain. Did what occurred concern not only acts of corruption but also a deliberate weakening of constitutional government?"
Zondo also said that it would investigate whether the appointment of "any member of the executive was disclosed to the Gupta family."
The ruling ANC said it welcomed the inquiry, appealing to members with evidence to appear before it.
