Cracks showing in Gupta 'hold' on SA as Treasury dumps New Age breakfast
Cape Town – Cracks are forming in the Gupta family’s perceived influence over state resources, with Treasury’s decision not to take part in the post-budget New Age Breakfast this Thursday.
A Treasury official told Fin24 on Wednesday that the department will still hold a post-budget breakfast with Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, but it won’t be organised by the breakfast show on SABC, which is sponsored by the Gupta-owned New Age newspaper.
Cabinet ministers are regulars on the show and President Jacob Zuma has used the platform annually the morning after his State of the Nation address. This year was no exception.
The Sunday Times revealed that Treasury will partner e.tv and eNCA, after Treasury told SABC they did not want the Gupta’s sponsoring the breakfast, resulting in the SABC pulling out due to contractual obligations.
"It felt like a good time to break with tradition and explore the other requests,” Treasury spokesperson Phumza Macanda told the Sunday paper. “SABC might not be broadcasting the event live, but their reporters will still be able to cover the event.”