Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is taking on the\u00a0Gupta family, along with the SABC, according to a report in the Sunday Times.<\/p>\n
The paper reported that\u00a0Gordhan has cancelled the\u00a0Gupta-owned New Age newspaper\u2019s post-budget breakfast briefing, which was due to take place this week.<\/p>\n
The report stated that the minister will also ask\u00a0the National Treasury to scrutinise coal-supply contracts awarded by Eskom, including those held by the Guptas.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis bucks the trend of cabinet ministers meekly bowing to the Gupta family\u2019s demands,\u201d said the Sunday Times, and highlights a growing revolt within the ruling party against the perceived influence the Guptas have on Zuma.<\/p>\n
According to the report, the New Age breakfasts are a \u201cregular money-spinner for the newspaper\u201d, and are often attended by government ministers, heads of state owned enterprises, and President Jacob Zuma.<\/p>\n
The Sunday Times stated\u00a0that Gordhan\u2019s office told the SABC he would only appear at the breakfast briefing if the Gupta-owned newspaper was not involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe move is said to have angered SABC chief operations officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng, who has requested a meeting with Gordhan and Treasury director-general Lungisa Fuzile.\u201d<\/p>\n
New Age breakfast briefings have made headlines in the past, with\u00a0companies like\u00a0Telkom and Transnet paying at least R1 million to sponsor the events.<\/p>\n
In 2013, then Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane reportedly paid close to\u00a0R700,000 to speak at one of the events.<\/p>\n
According to a source in the Treasury, an\u00a0Eskom coal-supply probe will also soon take place \u2013 with the Guptas the main target.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are going to look at every contract there, especially those where the parastatal did not follow proper procurement processes,\u201d the source told the Sunday Times.<\/p>\n
Gupta-linked Tegeta Resources and Exploration is\u00a0buying Optimum mine from\u00a0Glencore. It provides coal to Eskom\u2019s Arnot power station, stated the Sunday Times.<\/p>\n
\u201cGordhan\u2019s stance highlights a growing revolt within the ruling party against the perceived influence the Guptas have on Zuma and his cabinet.\u201d<\/p>\n
The full report is in the Sunday Times of 21 February 2016.<\/em><\/p>\n EFF slams Zuma and Gupta \u201ccriminal enterprises\u201d<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Zuma allies speak out against the Guptas: report<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore on the Guptas<\/h3>\n