South African finance minister resigns

In the heart of corruption scandal in the government of Presidenty Cyril Ramaphosa, South African Finance minister Nhlanhla Nene has resigned.

 

Nene considered a very close ally of Ramaphosa, resigned on Tuesday after meetings with the business family.

 

Former central bank governor Tito Mboweni was named as Mr Nene’s successor.

 

Mr Nene is a leading figure in the government’s efforts to tackle graft that allegedly flourished under Jacob Zuma, who was ousted in February.

 

But Mr Nene revealed to a judicial inquiry last week that he had met with the Gupta business family at their home and offices six times — contradicting earlier statements that he had only met them in passing at social occasions.

 

“I have decided to accept his resignation,” President Ramaphosa said in Cape Town.

 

He added that Mr Nene feared his testimony to the inquiry “detracted from the important task of serving the people of South Africa particularly as we work to reestablish public
trust in government.”

 

Ramaphosa stressed that Mr Nene “has not been implicated in any act of wrongdoing himself” and hailed him as minister who had “defended the cause of proper financial management as well as clean governance”.

 

Mr Nene, who was widely respected by
investors, served as Finance minister from 2014 to 2015 until he was
sacked by Mr Zuma and was re-appointed by President Ramaphosa earlier
this year.

 

Mr Nene apologised after giving testimony
to the inquiry, which is probing allegations of systematic corruption
under Zuma’s government involving the three Gupta brothers.

 

“I was wrong in meeting the Guptas at
their residence and not in my office or at least a public place,” his
public apology letter read.

 

“These visits do cast a shadow on my conduct as a public office bearer. I deeply regret these lapses and beg your forgiveness.”

 

The Guptas are a trio of Indian-born
brothers accused of fraudulently profiting from vast government
contracts and energy and transport deals under Zuma, who ruled from 2009
to 2018.

 

President Ramaphosa has vowed to crack
down on corruption as he tries to revive the economy and boost declining
support for the ruling ANC party ahead of elections next year.