Mantashe’s jaw dropping Zupta findings – fear not, truth always emerges

The great Prussian General Otto von Bismarck introduced a 48 hour "cooling off" period before his soldiers could lay a charge against their fellows. I've applied Bismarck's Rule before reflecting on ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe's conclusion around the ANC's Gupta State Capture investigations. It didn't help.

Mantashe asserts that of only eight complainants who approached Luthuli House just one was prepared to put their allegations on paper. The matter is officially closed. There will be no further investigation. So the crony capitalists who did a midnight duck to Dubai are free to return. And for the Zuptas it's back to business as usual.

Delusion, collusion, whitewash – call it what you will. Mantashe has destroyed whatever remained of the ANC's credibility among rational observers.

First Nenegate, then Nkandla, then the Arms Deal, now this. Unfortunately, too many people know what really went down – starting with would-be cabinet members Mcebisi Jonas and Vytjie Mentor and including a now extremely vocal SACP, Julius Malema's EFF and everyone plugged into the grapevine at National Treasury, the Mining Ministry, Eskom, SAA and Denel.

So before celebrating, the Zupta faction would do well to remember that no matter how hard one tries to subvert it, nothing is more powerful than the truth. It always emerges. In its own good time.