Anti-Corruption Group Wants to Accelerate President Zuma Probe

Posted by African Examiner African News, Latest Headlines, South Africa, Southern Africa Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016

South Africa’s anti-corruption watchdog may seek state funding to speed up its investigation into a growing scandal over President Jacob Zuma’s relationship with a wealthy family of businessmen, its spokesman said Tuesday.

In an affair that has caused wild swings in the rand since erupting last week, Zuma has faced calls to resign since a number of senior officials went public with allegations that the Guptas wielded undue influence on the government.

The Guptas, whose businesses stretch from media to mining, have denied offering government jobs and say they are pawns in a plot to oust Zuma. Zuma also denies the allegations.

Oupa Segalwe, spokesman for the Public Protector, said the watchdog was “considering this approach” when asked about comments his boss, Thuli Madonsela, made in the Beeld newspaper Tuesday.

“We want to ask the Treasury for a special fund for our special investigations. Then we can appoint a team of external forensic investigators and conclude the investigation quicker,” Madonsela was quoted as saying in the paper.

VOA