Mmusi Maimane was addressing a few hundred DA supporters who had gathered outside the National Treasury in Pretoria to protest against what they claim is the capture of the Treasury. The atmosphere was calm, with protesters singing and waving placards as a small contingent of security manned the entrance to the building.

Maimane said, “We have a family [Guptas] where money is being expatriated into the UAE. I think it’s in the interest of the UAE to ensure that we can’t continue with the money outflowing from South Africa. We must protect the resources of South Africa,” Maimane said when questioned about what the meeting with the UAE embassy would be about.

Maimane was joined by Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga and DA Gauteng leader John Moodey, to hand over a memorandum to a representative from the Treasury.

According to Maimane, the Treasury has been captured since Zuma appointed “Gupta puppet” Malusi Gigaba.

Maimane in his address said Gigaba’s record when he was Public Enterprises Minister showed that he appointed to the boards of Eskom, Denel, Prasa, and Transnet individuals who have been shown to be closely associated with the Gupta family. He also pointed to questions being raised over visas and citizenship granted to the Guptas while Gigaba was minister of home affairs.

“When the Guptas themselves were denied South African citizenship, guess who made sure it was granted under ‘exceptional circumstances’ – Minister Gigupta!” Maimane said as he called for Gigaba’s resignation.

Photo: DA supporters protesting outside the National Treasury in Pretoria. Photo: Ihsaan Haffejee

“There are thousands of good and honest employees of Treasury who work tirelessly to ensure the right amount of money is spent, by the appropriate government departments, on the needs of our people and our country. We salute you.” (But) what makes me sad is how black people sell out other black South Africans and then stand up and say: ‘We are a revolutionary movement.’ No. You are a criminal syndicate stealing money from our people and giving it to one family of Guptas,” said Maimane as he took a swipe at the ANC.

Photo: Mmusi Maimane outside the National Treasury in Pretoria. Photo: Ihsaan Haffejee

The DA leader said they would be intensifying their protests in cities and communities in the lead-up to the vote of no confidence debate in President Zuma scheduled for 8 August. DM

Photo: Hundreds of DA supporters gathered outside National Treasury in Pretoria on 20 July to protest against its ‘capture’. Photo: Ihsaan Haffejee