Zuma 'dodges' Gupta question

Zuma 'dodges' Gupta question

Julia Madibogo | 2016-09-21 16:49:29.0

President Jacob Zuma.
Image by: KEVIN SUTHERLAND

President Jacob Zuma may have a reputation for laughing off serious matters in parliament‚ but it now seems he's also a dab hand at side-stepping questions in parliament‚ as he deftly demonstrated with a query about visiting the Gupta family.

The presidency on Wednesday released Zuma's replies to a series of parliamentary questions for written reply.

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James Lorimer from the Democratic Alliance asked Zuma whether he had visited the influential family's compound in Saxonwold‚ Johannesburg‚ on Sunday‚ September 20‚ 2015.

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He was also asked‚ if he did visit the compound‚ the reason why and what was discussed‚ and "did the discussion include the subsequent reshuffling that happened in the Ministry of Mineral Resources portfolio". This would have been before Mosebenzi Zwane became the country's Mineral Resources Minister.

Alternatively‚ he was quizzed on whether any member of his cabinet visited the compound on the same day.

The Gupta family has been in the spotlight for allegedly using their political connections and links to Zuma to benefit financially from lucrative tenders and have previously been accused of having a hidden hand in the appointment of cabinet ministers. Zuma and the Guptas have previously denied the allegations.

Zuma responded: "The Presidency was informed by the Public Protector that she has received complaints and requests that she should investigate this matter or related allegations. The Public Protector's investigation is still continuing."