Hawks launch Guptas probe after DA complaint
by Agency and Staff Writers,
2016-03-24 09:07:22.0
THE Hawks have launched a corruption probe into President Jacob Zuma’s son Duduzane and the Guptas, a police spokesman said on Wednesday.
A spokesman for the Hawks unit said it would investigate the graft allegations after a complaint was made by the Democratic Alliance (DA).
"We have received the docket in the matter between the DA and the Guptas and we are to investigate it," the spokesman told Talk Radio 702.
The Guptas’ relationship with Mr Zuma has been a source of controversy for years, and burst into the open last week when senior figures went public to say the family had exerted undue sway, including offering cabinet positions.
The Guptas, whose businesses stretch from media to mining, have denied the allegations and say they are pawns in a plot to oust Mr Zuma.
The African National Congress (ANC) said on Sunday it had full confidence in Mr Zuma but would investigate the allegations by senior politicians — including Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas — that they were offered positions by the Guptas.
Mr Zuma has acknowledged the Guptas are his friends but denies anything improper. Mr Zuma’s son, Duduzane, is a director — along with Gupta family members — of at least six companies, documents show.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa was reported on Wednesday as saying that the "ANC is not for sale."
"The ANC refuses to be captured. Those who might want to capture the ANC and make it their own and influence it to advance personal or corporate interests, you have come to the wrong address," he was quoted by the Times as saying at an academic summit in Johannesburg.
"This is going to be a defining moment," he said. "What is good is that the Gupta family has said that they are willing to cooperate.
"It is not only the Gupta family. There are a number of others as well who have tried to capture the state," he said.
The Banking Association of SA said interference in the government by private groups was threatening the nation’s constitutional democracy, The Times reported.
The association’s MD, Cas Coovadia, told The Times state capture was a euphemism for blatant corruption. "We remain deeply concerned and disturbed that the worrisome trend of undue and illegitimate influence and interference in the state continues to represent a clear and present danger and threat to the stability of our constitutional democracy."
South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Alan Mukoki urged the ruling party to govern the country properly, The Times reported.
Mr Mukoki said the revelations about the Guptas had to be investigated as they damaged the reputation of the country, particularly abroad.
Reuters
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 Hawks have launched a corruption probe into President Jacob Zuma’s son Duduzane and the Guptas, a police spokesman said on Wednesday.
A spokesman for the Hawks unit said it would investigate the graft allegations after a complaint was made by the Democratic Alliance (DA).
"We have received the docket in the matter between the DA and the Guptas and we are to investigate it," the spokesman told Talk Radio 702.
The Guptas’ relationship with Mr Zuma has been a source of controversy for years, and burst into the open last week when senior figures went public to say the family had exerted undue sway, including offering cabinet positions.
The Guptas, whose businesses stretch from media to mining, have denied the allegations and say they are pawns in a plot to oust Mr Zuma.
The African National Congress (ANC) said on Sunday it had full confidence in Mr Zuma but would investigate the allegations by senior politicians — including Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas — that they were offered positions by the Guptas.
Mr Zuma has acknowledged the Guptas are his friends but denies anything improper. Mr Zuma’s son, Duduzane, is a director — along with Gupta family members — of at least six companies, documents show.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa was reported on Wednesday as saying that the "ANC is not for sale."
"The ANC refuses to be captured. Those who might want to capture the ANC and make it their own and influence it to advance personal or corporate interests, you have come to the wrong address," he was quoted by the Times as saying at an academic summit in Johannesburg.
"This is going to be a defining moment," he said. "What is good is that the Gupta family has said that they are willing to cooperate.
"It is not only the Gupta family. There are a number of others as well who have tried to capture the state," he said.
The Banking Association of SA said interference in the government by private groups was threatening the nation’s constitutional democracy, The Times reported.
The association’s MD, Cas Coovadia, told The Times state capture was a euphemism for blatant corruption. "We remain deeply concerned and disturbed that the worrisome trend of undue and illegitimate influence and interference in the state continues to represent a clear and present danger and threat to the stability of our constitutional democracy."
South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Alan Mukoki urged the ruling party to govern the country properly, The Times reported.
Mr Mukoki said the revelations about the Guptas had to be investigated as they damaged the reputation of the country, particularly abroad.
Reuters
Change: -0.47%
Change: -0.57%
Change: -1.76%
Change: -0.34%
Change: 0.02%
Data supplied by Profile Data
Change: -1.49%
Change: 0.09%
Change: -0.47%
Change: 0.00%
Change: -0.02%
Data supplied by Profile Data
Change: 0.48%
Change: 0.91%
Change: 0.38%
Change: -0.15%
Change: 0.93%
Data supplied by Profile Data
Change: 0.25%
Change: -0.32%
Change: 0.33%
Change: -1.22%
Change: -1.41%
Data supplied by Profile Data