ANC MPs turn on the Guptas
Former ANC MP Barbara Hogan and current MP Jackson Mthembu have added their voices speaking out against the Gupta family’s involvement in South African politics.
This follows revelations made by deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas that the family – who has ties to president Jacob Zuma – had offered him the position of finance minister after former finmin Nhlanhla Nene was given the boot.
Jonas rejected the offer, calling it a “mockery of our hard earned democracy”.
Mthembu took to social media site Twitter to voice his support for Jonas. Replying to Jonas, Mthembu said he could not believe the arrogance of the Guptas. He said the ANC should deal with the Gupta family once and for all.
“I believe (comrade) Jonas, (the ANC) must deal with this arrogance of the Guptas once and for all!! Who the hell do they think they are,” he said.
Minister of Tourism and ANC MP Derek Hannekom also said he believed Jonas’ version of events. “Mcebisi Jonas is a person of great integrity and there is no reason to doubt his version of events,” he said.
Jonas’ revelations follow reports by the Sunday Times that the meeting between him and the Guptas took place. The Gupta family denied the allegations, and on Wednesday night said that Jonas’ statement was a political move against them.
Not just Jonas
During the week, former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor posted a statement on social site Facebook, claiming that she too had met with the Guptas, where they offered her a position as minister of public enterprises, on condition that she drop the SAA flight-route to India and give to them.
Mentor claimed that president Zuma was in the other room when she met with the family in Saxonwold – however, the presidency released a statement saying that it had no knowledge of who Mentor is.
Speaking to Talk Radio 702 on Thursday, former ANC MP, Barbara Hogan, corroborated Mentor’s claims, saying that she was put under pressure to meet with (Gupta-owned) Jet Airways – but had refused.
Former president Thabo Mbeki also released a statement saying he knew Mentor, and remembered her as “an activist and valued ANC member of Parliament”.
Mentor said she will reveal more information about the meeting at “the right time”, saying she has a trump card and does not fear legal threats by the Gupta family.
She did, however, express concern for her personal safety, saying that she needed protection fro her house and family.
New reports say that Jonas received a threatening text message moments before he gave his statement on Wednesday, telling him to “leave martyrdom to Christ”.
Throughout the saga, the Gupta family has consistently denied any involvement and any meeting with politicians, maintaining that they are business people and not involved with South African politics.
ANC spokesperson, Zizi Kodwa confirmed to 702 that the ANC will discuss the Gupta state capture allegations and way forward at the ANC NEC meeting this weekend.
“We must welcome all those who come forward, and now we need to deal with it to restore the credibility of our democratic state,” Kodwa said.
“At this moment we don’t want to preempt talks of recalling the president, these are serious allegations, we need to investigate.”
More on state capture
Guptas respond to Jonas ‘state capture’ revelations
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