South Africa’s VP courts trouble, backs graft probe against President Zuma

The Vice President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa may just be courting trouble from his superior after he backed a graft probe against embattled President Jacob Zuma.

Lending his voice to growing calls for Zuma’s probe, the Vice President on Sunday at a gathering said he wants allegations of influence-peddling in government investigated.

Ramaphosa who is considered a likely candidate for president when the ruling African National Congress elects its new leaders later this year said; “I support that there should be a judicial commission of inquiry,” Ramaphosa said to loud applause at a memorial service for late freedom fighter Chris Hani.

“We need to put this (matter) to rest … If there is any wrongdoing, it must be exposed,” he added.

Thus far, a probe initially called for by South Africa’s anti-graft watchdog has been ignored by President Jacob Zuma.

The nation’s Public Protector in November called on Zuma to appoint a judicial commission of inquiry within 30 days to examine alleged “state capture” in his government, but Zuma has not yet appointed a commission, challenging the report in court instead.

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