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Jacob Zuma under new pressure to quit over alleged links to tycoons
Source: The Guardian
Jacob Zuma under new pressure to quit over alleged links to tycoons
South African leader denies wrongdoing as leaked documents suggest influential family holds undue sway over officials
Jason Burke in Johannesburg
Friday 30 June 2017 13.38 BST
Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s embattled president, faces renewed pressure to step down this weekend after a series of media reports detailed links between elected officials and a family of tycoons accused of holding undue sway over his administration.
More than 100,000 documents and emails leaked to reporters in recent weeks appear to detail improper dealings in lucrative government contracts made with the Gupta family - secretive and immensely wealthy businessmen of Indian origin who have lived in South Africa for decades.
Authorities have launched an investigation into several allies of Zuma who have been linked to corruption at three state-owned companies. One of the allegations involves suspected kickbacks worth $411m (£316m). The Gupta family and Zuma have consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The African National Congress, which led the fight against apartheid and has ruled South Africa since Nelson Mandela won the first multiracial elections in 1994, met on Friday to debate the future of a country mired in recession, corruption and political deadlock.
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South African leader denies wrongdoing as leaked documents suggest influential family holds undue sway over officials
Jason Burke in Johannesburg
Friday 30 June 2017 13.38 BST
Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s embattled president, faces renewed pressure to step down this weekend after a series of media reports detailed links between elected officials and a family of tycoons accused of holding undue sway over his administration.
More than 100,000 documents and emails leaked to reporters in recent weeks appear to detail improper dealings in lucrative government contracts made with the Gupta family - secretive and immensely wealthy businessmen of Indian origin who have lived in South Africa for decades.
Authorities have launched an investigation into several allies of Zuma who have been linked to corruption at three state-owned companies. One of the allegations involves suspected kickbacks worth $411m (£316m). The Gupta family and Zuma have consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The African National Congress, which led the fight against apartheid and has ruled South Africa since Nelson Mandela won the first multiracial elections in 1994, met on Friday to debate the future of a country mired in recession, corruption and political deadlock.
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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/30/jacob-zuma-under-pressure-to-quit-over-alleged-links-to-tycoons
