Shocking revelations about a wealthy Indian family’s interference in South African government affairs set embattled President Jacob Zuma up for a high-pressure appearance in Parliament on Thursday.
Shocking revelations about a wealthy Indian family’s interference in South African government affairs set embattled President Jacob Zuma up for a high-pressure appearance in Parliament on Thursday.
The admission by deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas that he was offered the top job in the treasury by the Gupta family caused outrage in a country, already alarmed by a series of corruption scandals.
The Gupta brothers, Ajay, Atul and Rajesh, were small-time businessmen back home but have built up a string of companies with interests in computers, mining, media and engineering since moving to South Africa in the 1990s.
They have long been accused of wielding undue influence over Zuma, whose son Duduzane is a partner in some of their businesses. Zuma’s third wife also used to work for them.
Mr Jonas said he received a death threat via a text message shortly before issuing his statement exposing the job offer by the Guptas, the Business Day reported.
The newspaper quoted the message from an unnamed businessman as reading: “Please keep your own counsel. Martyrdom is best left to Christ.”
