Jacob Zuma's alleged unholy nexus with the Gupta family appears to be the bane of the South African president's life,as clamour for Zuma to quit grew louder after South Africa's graft ombudsman ordered probe into possible criminal activity by government officials following an inquiry into their dealings with the influential Gupta family.
According to an ombudsman report, allegations of “state capture” over Zuma's ties to the Gupta business family should be criminally investigated.
The revelations in the report by Thuli Madonsela, the former public protector, is putting pressure on senior figures in the governing African National Congress to push the President to quit early.
The report was released to the public only after Zuma gave up a legal bid to block its publication.
The 355-page report said Zuma and some ministers may have breached the government’s code of ethics in their relationship with the Gupta family, who are Zuma’s friends and in business with his son.
The report details allegations that the Guptas may have pulled a few strings on the appointment of cabinet members and received special treatment in the issuance of state contracts.
The report has led opposition parties and ANC veterans calling for Zuma to resign.
But Zuma has the backing of the ANC's national working committee.
The party's secretary-general, Gwede Mantashe, said Madonsela's report was “inconclusive and contains no binding findings conferring guilt on any party”.
