This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-43055494

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
South Africa's Zuma crisis: Gupta home raided by police South Africa's Zuma crisis: Gupta home raided by police
(35 minutes later)
South Africa's elite police unit has raided the home of a controversial business family linked to President Jacob Zuma, as pressure increases on him to stand down.South Africa's elite police unit has raided the home of a controversial business family linked to President Jacob Zuma, as pressure increases on him to stand down.
Officials say three people were arrested as part of an investigation into the wealthy, Indian-born Guptas.Officials say three people were arrested as part of an investigation into the wealthy, Indian-born Guptas.
They have been accused of using their close friendship with Mr Zuma to wield enormous political influence.They have been accused of using their close friendship with Mr Zuma to wield enormous political influence.
Meanwhile, Mr Zuma's party has given him until the end of the day to resign.Meanwhile, Mr Zuma's party has given him until the end of the day to resign.
His links to the Guptas are one of the reasons he is being forced to resign before the 2019 general election.His links to the Guptas are one of the reasons he is being forced to resign before the 2019 general election.
The Guptas and Mr Zuma deny all allegations of wrongdoing.The Guptas and Mr Zuma deny all allegations of wrongdoing.
Pressure has been slowly increasing on Mr Zuma to stand down in recent weeks. He was expected to respond to a formal request from the African National Congress (ANC) to step down at some point on Wednesday.Pressure has been slowly increasing on Mr Zuma to stand down in recent weeks. He was expected to respond to a formal request from the African National Congress (ANC) to step down at some point on Wednesday.
However, the situation has escalated, with ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu saying a motion of no-confidence in the president will be heard on Thursday. However, shortly after ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu announced that a motion of no-confidence in the president would be heard on Thursday, Mr Zuma appeared unannounced on SABC, South Africa's national broadcaster, to say he was not prepared to stand down immediately as he had not be given good reasons as to why he should resign.
Parliament will then elect Cyril Ramaphosa as the new president, potentially also tomorrow if the chief justice is available to swear him in. "It was very unfair to me that this issue is raised," he said. "They did not provide me with reasons."
Mr Ramaphosa was elected ANC president in December, replacing Mr Zuma. He added that the argument that the party could not cope with two centres of power was "very immature politics", arguing that Cyril Ramaphosa - who was elected ANC president in December - was supposed to spend the next 18 months preparing for the election, after which he would be able to become president, if the ANC retains its majority.
Mr Mthembu had said they would make Mr Ramaphosa the new president as soon as possible.
Analysis: Coincidence, or something more?
By Andrew Harding, BBC News, Johannesburg
The timing is remarkable… So why did South Africa's elite Hawks choose to move against the Guptas now?
The first possibility is that this was a genuine coincidence. The Hawks have, in recent weeks, begun to accelerate their investigation into alleged corruption at the Estina Dairy in Vrede [scroll down to read more on the allegations], with assets already seized, and prosecutions prepared, so perhaps, given the unpredictable way the political drama surrounding President Zuma is unfolding, this is just one of those serendipitous things.
The second possibility is that the Hawks, with an eye on the news and the clear sense that President Zuma is losing power - and therefore any protection that the Guptas enjoyed as his friends is waning too - decided there was a risk members of the Indian-born family might flee the country.
The third option is the man who presumably authorised the move against the Guptas, the National Prosecuting Chief Sean Abrahams, saw the way the tide was turning against Mr Zuma (who appointed him). Mr Abrahams has been branded "Sean The Sheep" by South African media, following widespread claims that he has helped to protect Mr Zuma, the Guptas and others from corruption investigations.
Mr Abrahams, who denies the allegations, might be looking to curry favour with any new ANC-led administration.
The fourth theory is that Cyril Ramaphosa, or those close to him, somehow influenced the police into launching the move in a deliberate attempt to put added pressure on President Zuma. His son, Duduzane, works for the Guptas and is being talked of as a possible target of the NPA's investigations.
This would be an illegal move, but one that many South Africans now see as entirely possible, given the apparent politicisation of the justice system and the erosion of key institutions during the Zuma era.
Why was the Gupta's house raided?Why was the Gupta's house raided?
According to a statement released by the Hawks - the police's elite high-priority crimes unit - the raids were carried out in connection with the Vrede farm investigation.According to a statement released by the Hawks - the police's elite high-priority crimes unit - the raids were carried out in connection with the Vrede farm investigation.
Three people were arrested during the raid, with two more expected to hand themselves in. According to local media, one of those arrested was a Gupta family member.Three people were arrested during the raid, with two more expected to hand themselves in. According to local media, one of those arrested was a Gupta family member.
That investigation relates to the Estina dairy farm near Vrede, in the Free State, a project which was originally meant to help poor black farmers but from which the Gupta family are alleged to have pocketed millions of dollars, allegations they deny.That investigation relates to the Estina dairy farm near Vrede, in the Free State, a project which was originally meant to help poor black farmers but from which the Gupta family are alleged to have pocketed millions of dollars, allegations they deny.
A tranche of leaked emails released last year alleged that some of the money ended up paying for the family's lavish wedding at Sun City, South Africa's upmarket holiday resort.A tranche of leaked emails released last year alleged that some of the money ended up paying for the family's lavish wedding at Sun City, South Africa's upmarket holiday resort.
In January, the Hawks raided the offices of the Free State Premier, Ace Magashule, looking for documents linked to the project. Mr Magashule was elected secretary-general of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in December.In January, the Hawks raided the offices of the Free State Premier, Ace Magashule, looking for documents linked to the project. Mr Magashule was elected secretary-general of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in December.
The chief whip of the opposition Democratic Alliance John Steenhuisen told the BBC the arrests he thought the timing of today's raid was particularly interesting, given .
"I think the arrests this morning were a warning shot fired across the bows of Mr Zuma's camp to say that 'Look if you don't step down and resign, this could well be happening to you,'" he said.
Just who are the Gupta family?Just who are the Gupta family?
The embattled Gupta family own a range of business interests in South Africa, including computing, mining, air travel, energy, technology and media.The embattled Gupta family own a range of business interests in South Africa, including computing, mining, air travel, energy, technology and media.
The three brothers, Atul, Rajesh and Ajay, moved to the country in 1993 from India, just as white-minority rule was ending.The three brothers, Atul, Rajesh and Ajay, moved to the country in 1993 from India, just as white-minority rule was ending.
They are known friends of President Zuma - and his son, daughter and one of the president's wives worked for the family's firms.They are known friends of President Zuma - and his son, daughter and one of the president's wives worked for the family's firms.
The brothers have been accused of wielding enormous political influence in South Africa, with critics alleging that they have tried to "capture the state" to advance their own business interests The brothers have been accused of wielding enormous political influence in South Africa, with critics alleging that they have tried to "capture the state" to advance their own business interests.
At the scene: Cheers and insults
By Andrew Harding, BBC News, Saxonwold, Johannesburg
Early this morning, as the plush suburb of Saxonwold was waking up - gardeners walking dogs, children being taken to school in 4x4s - armed police arrived at the enormous, high-walled, Gupta compound opposite the lion enclosure of Johannesburg Zoo, sealing off a section of the road, and venturing inside.
Soon afterwards, two luxury vehicles were seen driving out of the gates escorted by police in separate cars.
The Hawks - the elite high-priority crimes unit - confirmed that this was an operation to arrest suspects, rather than to raid properties.
A blue police helicopter swung over the property, as local people voiced satisfaction about the police action.
"It's very emotional for all South Africans. This is about getting South Africa right again," said Tessa Turvey.
"This is real meaningful change. I certainly don't think it would have happened if Zuma was still president of the ANC," said a man, walking his dogs.
What are the other allegations against the Guptas?What are the other allegations against the Guptas?
Former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas made a public allegation in 2016 that he was offered 600m rand ($50m; £36m) by the Gupta family to be the next finance minister - as long as he did their bidding.Former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas made a public allegation in 2016 that he was offered 600m rand ($50m; £36m) by the Gupta family to be the next finance minister - as long as he did their bidding.
It was followed by a damning report by a South African government ombudsman that accused the Guptas and President Zuma of colluding to win government contracts.It was followed by a damning report by a South African government ombudsman that accused the Guptas and President Zuma of colluding to win government contracts.
The public backlash worsened in 2017 when more than 100,000 emails were leaked which appeared to show the extent of the family's influence.The public backlash worsened in 2017 when more than 100,000 emails were leaked which appeared to show the extent of the family's influence.
It suggested a complex web of government contracts, as well as alleged kickbacks and money laundering.It suggested a complex web of government contracts, as well as alleged kickbacks and money laundering.
It prompted marches and public protests against the family and President Zuma, dubbed the "Zuptas".It prompted marches and public protests against the family and President Zuma, dubbed the "Zuptas".