Madonsela wants money to investigate the Gupta family
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has requested additional funding so that her department can investigate the controversial Gupta family and their ties with government through president Jacob Zuma.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Madonsela said she wants to look at “specifically whether or not the government of South Africa and specifically the president unlawfully allowed the Gupta family to choose ministers and other occupants of high office.”
In February 2016, deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas rocked the political sphere by coming forward with claims that he was approached by the Gupta family, promising him the position of finance minister in return for his co-operation in the role.
The alleged meeting took place before former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene was unexpectedly fired in December 2015, which led to a crash in the South African economy.
Following Jonas’ revelations, a number of current and former government officials came forward with similar experiences, weaving a complex conspiracy of state capture, in which the Gupta family used their wealth and ties with president Jacob Zuma to secure favourable government contracts.
The family has been linked with multi-billion-rand deals in the energy sector, and is speculated to be in a prime position to benefit massively from South Africa’s proposed nuclear energy plan.
The family has not been formally charged with any wrongdoing, and maintain their innocence in what has been called a “political plot against them”, but that did not stop several South African banks from shutting Gupta accounts, and forcing the family to step down from executive roles at their companies to avoid further damage.
Singe the allegations came to light, ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe conducted an investigation into the matter, in which only one official came forward with a written account of the Gupta family and Zuma’s involvement in state capture.
According to Mantashe, the issue has been dismissed and put aside in favour of a focus on the upcoming local elections.
Read: How Zuma has dodged every bullet
Weekend papers reported that the secretary general has ignored advice from heads of intelligence that he should look at a report on the matter, having been pressured by Zuma supporters within the party to drop the issue and move on.
More on state capture
Mantashe ‘ignored’ document on Gupta state capture: report
‘I made Gupta submission to ANC’: Maseko
No evidence of state capture: Mantashe
More officials to come forward over state capture claims: report
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