South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) has thrown its weight behind its beleaguered leader President Jacob Zuma.

Following the party's national executive committee (NEC) meeting at the weekend, the ANC expressed full confidence in President Zuma.

ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe said the NEC held “frank and robust discussions” on claims that the Gupta family had influence in the appointment of Cabinet Ministers and other key government positions.

“The appointment of ministers and deputy ministers is the sole prerogative of the president of the Republic, in line with the Constitution. To this end, the ANC continues to confirm its full confidence in our president,” Mr Mantashe said.

However, he called on people who had been approached by members of the Gupta family to come forward and speak to his office.

He assured them that they will be protected politically.

Mr Mantashe added that no action would be taken against the people who have spoken up because they had “done the honourable thing”.

Business with Guptas

The ruling party mandated the NEC and officials to investigate all pertinent information about the Gupta family claims.
It acknowledged that the allegations of Gupta influence were very serious and had the potential to discredit the ANC leadership.

“They have the potential to undermine and erode the credibility and confidence of our people in the leadership of the organisation. We reject the notion of any business or family seeking such influence over the ANC.”

In the past week there has been a number of revelations about the alleged influence of the Gupta family on President Zuma.
Meanwhile, the party said the president's son, Duduzane, had a right to do business with the Gupta family.

The ANC said the relationship between the president's son, who does business with the controversial family, is not an ANC matter unless it impacts directly on the party.

“The notion that families of politicians are proxies of politically-connected individuals is dangerous in that if you are a politician and you have children, you send them to school and they become professionals, they must not work until you stop being active in politics. It can’t work that way,” Mr Mantashe said.