S’African police launch graft probe into Zuma’s son, Guptas

South Africa’s elite ‘Hawks’ police unit has launched a corruption probe into President Jacob Zuma’s son, Duduzane, and the Guptas, a family of businessmen accused of wielding improper political influence, Talk Radio 702 said yesterday.

The station quoted a Hawks spokesman as saying the unit would investigate the graft allegations after a complaint was made by the Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s main opposition party.

Although the Gupta’s relationship with Zuma has been a source of controversy for years, it 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 Zuma.

The ruling ANC said on Sunday it had full confidence in Zuma but would investigate the allegations by senior politicians – including Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas – that they were offered positions by the Guptas.