South African President Jacob Zuma questioned by national corruption watchdog
South African President Jacob Zuma was questioned on Thursday by the country's corruption watchdog over allegations he let wealthy business friends influence his political appointment decisions. This is the final questioning conducted by public protector Thuli Madonsela, who spent seven years in office and been highly praised for her role.
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President Zuma sat behind closed doors with Public Protector Madonsela on Thursday, where she questioned him over accusations that a wealthy business family, the Guptas, used their relationship with Zuma to receive political favours, including helping choose several of Zuma's cabinet members.
Relationship with Gupta Brothers
The Guptas are three brothers who moved to South Africa from India in the early 1990s and went on to construct a business empire spanning everything from media to mining.
“It’s unlikely he would admit that specific individuals or families have informed him to take certain executive decisions,” Dr. Lesiba Teffo, a professor at the University of South Africa in Pretoria, told RFI.
“Very few people would want to accept that even if they had done such a thing, they would not want to say there were influenced by people with ulterior motives,” he said.
Regardless, Madonsela will be publishing a detailed report on the questioning, which could prove quite damaging for Zuma.
Corruption Watchdog Praised by the People
Madonsela is known for her fierce questioning and received a large amount of praise following an investigation she led surrounding $16 million worth of state spending that went towards repairs on Zuma's private home. The case was upheld by the country's constitutional court and Zuma was forced to pay back a portion of those funds.
In spite of her popularity, Madonsela will be stepping down after seven years in office, the term limit.
“She has made a very important impact in the lives of South Africans,” David Lewis, the head of the Corruption Watch, a nonprofit that monitors corruption on South Africa, told RFI. “[Madonsela] is one of the truly, if not only, really stand out public bodies willing to tackle corruption at the highest level and even the lowest level without fear of favor as the legislation requires them to do.”
Successor to take Office on October 15
Madonsela's succesor is Busi Mkhwebane, a lawyer who was nominated by 60 per cent of lawmakers in a vote last month. Zuma signed off on her appointment on Thursday morning, confirming the recommendation.
“She has a history of public service and she seems to be a person of integrity,” Lewis told RFI.
The ruling African National Congress (ANC) Party will be holding their party congress late next year to decide who the next leader will be.
Zuma may run, but given his low popularity ratings, some analysts say he may step down before the end of his final term in office, in 2019.
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