BIG business in SA wants President Jacob Zuma to answer to Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas’s statement on Wednesday that he was offered the finance minister position by members of the Gupta family.
Only the President can appoint ministers and their deputies.
"The statement by … Jonas that he was offered the finance minister’s job by the Gupta brothers marks a grave threat to our country’s constitutional democracy," Business Leadership SA (BLSA) said. "The statement requires a decisive response from President Zuma, who alone has the prerogative to appoint both ministers and deputy ministers. If other senior public office bearers have had similar approaches now is the time for them to take the people of SA into their confidence."
The BLSA statement was jointly issued by its president, Saki Macozoma, chairman Bobby Godsell and CEO Thero Setiloane.
Mr Jonas said he was offered the position just before Nhlanhla Nene was fired as finance minister in December. The Gupta family said Mr Jonas’s statement was not true and referred to it as a political point-scoring exercise.
BLSA said that the government, critical institutions and citizens must choose between "being a society governed by law or one captured and directed by private interests."
Bobby Godsell. Picture: TREVOR SAMSON
BIG business in SA wants President Jacob Zuma to answer to Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas’s statement on Wednesday that he was offered the finance minister position by members of the Gupta family.
Only the President can appoint ministers and their deputies.
"The statement by … Jonas that he was offered the finance minister’s job by the Gupta brothers marks a grave threat to our country’s constitutional democracy," Business Leadership SA (BLSA) said. "The statement requires a decisive response from President Zuma, who alone has the prerogative to appoint both ministers and deputy ministers. If other senior public office bearers have had similar approaches now is the time for them to take the people of SA into their confidence."
The BLSA statement was jointly issued by its president, Saki Macozoma, chairman Bobby Godsell and CEO Thero Setiloane.
Mr Jonas said he was offered the position just before Nhlanhla Nene was fired as finance minister in December. The Gupta family said Mr Jonas’s statement was not true and referred to it as a political point-scoring exercise.
BLSA said that the government, critical institutions and citizens must choose between "being a society governed by law or one captured and directed by private interests."
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