THE Democratic Alliance (DA) is set to lay criminal charges against the Gupta family after the admission by Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas on Wednesday that members of the family had indeed offered him the position of finance minister before Nhlanhla Nene was axed.
Opposition parties have long complained about the influence of the family on President Jacob Zuma and some ministers.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) launched a salvo at the family and Mr Zuma at a media briefing earlier this year, morphing its "pay back the money" into "Zupta must fall".
In a statement on Wednesday, DA finance spokesman David Maynier urged Mr Jonas to reveal further information about the meeting, including the names of the family members who made the offer. Mr Maynier also wanted to know whether the offer came with "conditions" as reported by the Sunday Times, including that he support the nuclear build programme and purge senior officials.
Mr Maynier said in confirming that the Gupta family had offered him the post, Mr Jonas had admitted he was offered "gratification" in terms of the Prevention of Corrupt Activities Act.
"This, in our view, amounts to prima facie evidence of corrupt activities. I will therefore lay charges against Atul Gupta, Ajay Gupta, Duduzane Zuma and any other persons who were present at the time the offer was made. I will lay these charges in terms of Section 4 of the Prevention of Corrupt Activities Act (No 12 of 2004) so that this matter can be fully investigated," Mr Maynier said.
"This matter goes to the heart of the corruption in South Africa."
In a recent statement, the EFF said it had written to the commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, the finance minister, the Reserve Bank governor and the director of financial intelligence to co-ordinate an investigation into tax irregularities, financial crimes and possible corruption involving the Guptas and the alleged movement of funds to Dubai, and to look into allegations that Mr Zuma had interfered in the workings of the Bank.
From left: Ajay Gupta younger brother Atul Gupta and Oakbay MD Jagdish Parekh and Duduzane Zuma , who is a son of the president. Picture: MARTIN RHODES
THE Democratic Alliance (DA) is set to lay criminal charges against the Gupta family after the admission by Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas on Wednesday that members of the family had indeed offered him the position of finance minister before Nhlanhla Nene was axed.
Opposition parties have long complained about the influence of the family on President Jacob Zuma and some ministers.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) launched a salvo at the family and Mr Zuma at a media briefing earlier this year, morphing its "pay back the money" into "Zupta must fall".
In a statement on Wednesday, DA finance spokesman David Maynier urged Mr Jonas to reveal further information about the meeting, including the names of the family members who made the offer. Mr Maynier also wanted to know whether the offer came with "conditions" as reported by the Sunday Times, including that he support the nuclear build programme and purge senior officials.
Mr Maynier said in confirming that the Gupta family had offered him the post, Mr Jonas had admitted he was offered "gratification" in terms of the Prevention of Corrupt Activities Act.
"This, in our view, amounts to prima facie evidence of corrupt activities. I will therefore lay charges against Atul Gupta, Ajay Gupta, Duduzane Zuma and any other persons who were present at the time the offer was made. I will lay these charges in terms of Section 4 of the Prevention of Corrupt Activities Act (No 12 of 2004) so that this matter can be fully investigated," Mr Maynier said.
"This matter goes to the heart of the corruption in South Africa."
In a recent statement, the EFF said it had written to the commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, the finance minister, the Reserve Bank governor and the director of financial intelligence to co-ordinate an investigation into tax irregularities, financial crimes and possible corruption involving the Guptas and the alleged movement of funds to Dubai, and to look into allegations that Mr Zuma had interfered in the workings of the Bank.
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