South African finance minister quits over Gupta scandal

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - South Africa’s Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene on Tuesday resigned after he revealed that he had visited the home of the Indian Gupta family, who have been accused of corruption.

In a media briefing in Cape Town, President Cyril Ramaphosa said he has accepted Nene’s resignation.

Ramaphosa has now appointed Tito Mboweni, a former head of South African Reserve Bank, as the new finance minister.

Last week, Nene told the inquiry commission probing corruption involving the Gupta family and former President Jacob Zuma that he had visited their home in Johannesburg.

The Guptas are alleged to have influenced Zuma to hire ministers and funnel lucrative government contracts. Several ministers are believed to have advanced the business interests of the Guptas who were close friends of Zuma.

Zuma resigned from office in April following pressure from his ruling African National Congress amid accusations of corruption. Both Zuma and the Guptas deny any wrongdoing.