South Africa’s President Zuma denies allegations of being influenced in cabinet appointments
South African President Jacob Zuma has denied being influenced by anyone in the appointment of cabinet ministers.This is following allegations by the deputy finance minister that a wealthy family close to Zuma offered him the job of Finance minister. It is believed that the Gupta family may have been behind Zuma’s decision to sack the then finance minister Nhlanhla Nene in December. Responding to a question in Parliament on Thursday Zuma denied any involvement in the appointments row.
“My question to you Mr President: whether the Gupta family has ever offered anybody a cabinet position in your term of office as president or is minister Jonas in fact lying? because if in fact he is or he’s not, is the president willing to take accountability for the decision and resign in front of the people of South Africa?” Said Leader of The Democratic Alliance (Da), Mmusi Maimane
“I appointed Jonas as deputy minister (of finance) that’s what I offered Jonas. I never offered Jonas ministry, that’s why he’s a deputy minister. If Jonas says he was offered by the Guptas, I think you will be well placed to ask the Guptas or Jonas, don’t ask me; where do I come in? I had no business with that” Said President Jacob Zuma
Following the confrontation the opposition leader was then ejected out of parliament. Zuma has previously said his ties with the family are above board. The claims concerning the Guptas have erupted following a prolonged confrontation with Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, who eventually replaced Nene. The country’s deputy finance Minister Jonas Mcebisi Jonas earlier announced that the family had offered him a job as the country’s finance minister. He however says he turned down the offer. In his statement, Jonas said the offer made a mockery of South Africa’s 22-year-old democracy.
