Politically connected Gupta family to sell South Africa companies
South Africa’s wealthy Gupta family with influential ties to President Jacob Zuma said Saturday they plan to sell all their business interests in the country by the end of the year.
The family, who had immigrated from India in the 1990s and owns a business empire with interests ranging from media to mining, said it was already in talks with “several international prospective buyers.”
“As a family, we now believe that the time is right for us to exit our shareholding of the South African businesses which we believe will benefit our existing employees, and lead to further growth in the businesses,” said a statement issued by their holding company Oakbay Investments.
The Gupta family companies led by brothers Atul, Ajay and Rajesh, have over the years been embroiled in scandals, including accusations of having undue influence over Zuma.
Some members of Zuma’s family were once employed in Gupta companies, including his son Duduzane who used to be their business partner.
In April the Guptas stepped down from all executive and non-executive positions in Oakbay Investments, following intense scrutiny over their dealings with the government.
The move was also reportedly linked to the closure of the firm’s accounts by two major banks.
The extent of the Guptas’ political influence came to light early this year when a deputy minister revealed that the family had offered him the position of finance minister before Zuma suddenly removed then minister Nhlanhla Nene in December 2015.
Some Gupta-owned firms include a 24-hour television news channel, a newspaper, gold and uranium mining firms and a computer business.
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1 Comments
Simply because they were accused of undue influence, that is corruption, they all resigned from their own company. They have even decided to sell all their interests in their own company, because they believe it is best for South Africa. I wonder what is, or could be, best for Nigeria? A president who, till today, has refused to produce his academic qualifications, and lied under oath yet insisting he must lead? A vice president who is a professor of Law, a senior member of the inner bar and a minister of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ willing to deputize under a president that lied under oath? Leadership is always a reflection of the people(s), and a people(s) will always get the kind of leadership it deserves.
We will review and take appropriate action.