South African police raid business family linked to Zuma

South African police raid business family linked to Zuma

South African police have raided the home of a business family linked to President Jacob Zuma as the nation awaited word from the embattled leader on whether he will obey an order from the ruling party to quit.

Agents from the Hawks, an elite police investigative unit, entered the compound of the Gupta family in an affluent neighbourhood of Johannesburg. Three people were arrested in operations at various addresses, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported.

The family is suspected of using its connections to the president to influence Cabinet appointments and win state contracts, and has been a flashpoint for national anger over corruption in state enterprises during Mr Zuma’s tenure. Both the Guptas and Mr Zuma say they have done nothing wrong.

South Africa Troubled President
ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule makes a statement after the ruling party said scandal-tainted President Jacob Zuma must leave office (Themba Hadebe?AP)

Meanwhile, there was no immediate response from Mr Zuma to an announcement on Tuesday by the ruling African National Congress party that the president must leave office.

The ANC, which has lost popularity because of the scandals linked to Mr Zuma, is trying to resolve a leadership crisis that has disrupted one of Africa’s biggest economies.

The ruling party has said it expected a response from Mr Zuma on Wednesday.

The president’s office said it had not issued any announcement on a media briefing by Mr Zuma on Wednesday, as reported by some local media. It said to “await official notification”.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is poised to replace Mr Zuma, who could face a motion of no confidence in parliament if he defies his party’s order to step down.

South Africa Troubled President
Deputy President and ANC party president Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to take over from Jacob Zuma (AP)

A motion of no confidence sponsored by an opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, has been scheduled for February 22 in parliament. Opposition parties want the vote brought forward to this week.

As the Gupta-linked investigation proceeds, Mr Zuma could face corruption charges tied to an arms deal two decades ago.

South Africa’s chief prosecutor is expected to make a decision on whether to prosecute Mr Zuma on the old charges, which were reinstated last year after being thrown out in 2009.

In another scandal, South Africa’s top court ruled in 2016 that Mr Zuma violated the constitution following an investigation of multimillion-dollar upgrades to his private home using state funds. The president paid back some of the money.

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