The Democratic Alliance says Jacob Zuma should give back R10-million he received as a contribution to the ANC cause from businessman Robert Gumede.

According to Ryan Coetzee, the DA's chief executive, the ANC president raised R29.5-million at a function in Johannesburg. "One of the donors at this function is a businessman of allegedly questionable ethics, Robert Gumede, who is said to have donated R10-million," Coetzee said on Friday.

He quoted media reports saying that Gumede faces a case of corruption involving alleged bribes paid by him to Telkom executives. It is alleged that he has been under police investigation for corruption after a tender worth R600-million by Telkom was awarded to his Gijima Afrika Smart Technologies in 2002.

"The Democratic Alliance challenges the ANC to demonstrate its sound financial ethics by distancing itself from Gumede and returning the money he donated to him until he is able to clear his name," Coetzee said. "It would be morally reprehensible for the ANC to run its election campaign with tainted funding."

Gumede vehemently denied that bribed Telkom officials, and told the Mail and Guardian that he was not aware of any investigation against him. "I am a law-abiding citizen," he told the newspaper.

Coetzee recalled that when the DA received funding from the late Brett Kebble, it took the high moral ground and paid the money back. "The ANC should do the same," he added.

He said that the newly elected ANC leadership vowed to lay bare financial impropriety by ordering an audit of the ANC's investment arm, Chancellor House. The ANC treasurer general, Mathews Phosa, is on record as saying "the law will have to take its course" if any financial impropriety is found in its investment arm. "The ANC must stand by this commitment," Coetzee said.

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