Catholic priests ask Madonsela to investigate Guptas
18 March 2016
Johannesburg - The Dominican Order of Catholic priests has asked Public Protector Thuli Madonsela to investigate the alleged involvement of the Gupta family in ministerial appointments.
Madonsela's office said on Friday that the Order had asked for an investigation into whether the Guptas offered Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas and former MP Vytjie Mentor Cabinet positions in exchange for favourable executive decisions.
It wanted to know whether the Guptas knew of Des van Rooyen's appointment as finance minister before it was made public. Van Rooyen was appointed following Nhlanhla Nene's axing in December last year. Following a public outcry, Pravin Gordhan replaced him.
On Wednesday, Jonas said the family offered him the position of finance minister before it was given to Van Rooyen. He rejected the offer.
The Dominican Order wanted to know if “senior advisors” linked to the Guptas were appointed to the National Treasury, alongside Van Rooyen, without procedure having been followed.