David Skosana, a lawmaker for the MK Party, has sparked political controversy by openly accusing the Gupta family and the late Pravin Gordhan, South Africa’s minister of public enterprises, of causing the country’s present economic and governance problems. While addressing a joint session of parliament with Shamila Batohi, head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Skosana asserted that the focus in the national conversation is unjustly on the Guptas’ involvement in state capture, ignoring what he called Gordhan’s “destructive influence” on important state institutions.
The Guptas weren’t the root of all our troubles, Skosana declared emphatically. “The misdirection of the economy and the weakening of our state-owned firms were both greatly aided by the late Pravin Gordhan. That must be documented in history.
MK Party MP David Skosana tells NPA head Shamila Batohi that the country’s problems were caused by the late Pravin Gordhan, not just the Guptas.#AdHocCommittee pic.twitter.com/tyG2MHbfqQ
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Opposition members accused him of attempting to rewrite history in order to shift blame away from the Gupta-linked corruption that afflicted South Africa under Zuma’s presidency, and his remarks quickly became a source of controversy. Nevertheless, Skosana maintained his stance, certain that the NPA ought to examine “all actors, regardless of their political image,” and adopt a more comprehensive perspective on corruption.
The fight against corruption and the stabilisation of public institutions following years of mismanagement were largely spearheaded by Pravin Gordhan, who tragically passed away earlier this year. Unions and certain political groups, however, criticised his administration for allegedly being too cosy with corporate elites.
In response to Skosana’s comments, Batohi reiterated the NPA’s dedication to seeking justice in an unbiased manner, using evidence instead of political narratives. The comments have sparked discussions in many social and political sectors, highlighting the divides in South Africa on responsibility and the lasting effects of state capture on the country’s rehabilitation.