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South Africa: police raid home of controversial Jacob Zuma allies Zuma allies' home raided and no-confidence vote announced
(36 minutes later)
Arrests made in raids linked to allegations of influence-peddling by Gupta family, as ANC’s efforts to oust president continue Raids linked to allegations of influence-peddling by Gupta family come as ANC’s efforts to oust South Africa’s president continue
Jason Burke in JohannesburgJason Burke in Johannesburg
Wed 14 Feb 2018 10.58 GMT Wed 14 Feb 2018 11.40 GMT
First published on Wed 14 Feb 2018 07.26 GMTFirst published on Wed 14 Feb 2018 07.26 GMT
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An elite South African police team has raided the luxurious family home of a family of controversial businessmen accused of improper relations with Jacob Zuma, as the ruling ANC party continues its chaotic efforts to oust the country’s president.An elite South African police team has raided the luxurious family home of a family of controversial businessmen accused of improper relations with Jacob Zuma, as the ruling ANC party continues its chaotic efforts to oust the country’s president.
The raid on the compound of the wealthy Gupta family in Johannesburg will be taken as an encouraging sign that Cyril Ramaphosa, the new leader of the African National Congress (ANC), will move swiftly against those associated with the corruption allegations and mismanagement that have characterised Zuma’s nine years in power. The raid on the compound of the wealthy Gupta family in Johannesburg came as the African National Congress (ANC) said that a vote of no confidence in Zuma would be held on Thursday. It will be taken as an encouraging sign that Cyril Ramaphosa, the new leader of the ANC, will move swiftly against those associated with the corruption allegations and mismanagement that have characterised Zuma’s nine years in power.
Hangwani Mulaudzi, a spokesman for the police unit known as the Hawks, said the raid was part of an investigation into allegations of influence-peddling in the government.Hangwani Mulaudzi, a spokesman for the police unit known as the Hawks, said the raid was part of an investigation into allegations of influence-peddling in the government.
The Guptas are a business family that have become symbols of the malpractice and mismanagement seen as characterising the nine-year rule of the South African president, Jacob Zuma.The Guptas are a business family that have become symbols of the malpractice and mismanagement seen as characterising the nine-year rule of the South African president, Jacob Zuma.
Brothers Atul, Ajay and Tony Gupta emigrated from India in 1993 seeking business opportunities in post-apartheid South Africa, and built a conglomerate with an annual turnover of more than $20m.Brothers Atul, Ajay and Tony Gupta emigrated from India in 1993 seeking business opportunities in post-apartheid South Africa, and built a conglomerate with an annual turnover of more than $20m.
Their Johannesburg home, in the plush Saxonwold neighbourhood, is worth several million dollars. They own a number of other properties and travel in a private jet with their own chef.Their Johannesburg home, in the plush Saxonwold neighbourhood, is worth several million dollars. They own a number of other properties and travel in a private jet with their own chef.
The Guptas' close relationship with Zuma became clear in 2013 when they flew hundreds of guests to a wedding near Johannesburg and were allowed to use a military airbase instead of the usual civilian facilities. One of Zuma’s sons was a business partner of the Guptas.The Guptas' close relationship with Zuma became clear in 2013 when they flew hundreds of guests to a wedding near Johannesburg and were allowed to use a military airbase instead of the usual civilian facilities. One of Zuma’s sons was a business partner of the Guptas.
Allegations of impropriety have stacked up:Allegations of impropriety have stacked up:
• A report by a corruption watchdog into alleged influence-peddling accuses the family of "state capture" –  a process by which the country’s institutions and top officials are corrupted by outsiders• A report by a corruption watchdog into alleged influence-peddling accuses the family of "state capture" –  a process by which the country’s institutions and top officials are corrupted by outsiders
• The deputy finance minister said in 2016 that a family member had offered to promote him to the minister's post • The deputy finance minister said in 2016 that a family member had offered to promote him to the minister's post 
• More than 100,000 documents and emails leaked to reporters last year appear to detail improper dealings in lucrative government contracts made with the Guptas• More than 100,000 documents and emails leaked to reporters last year appear to detail improper dealings in lucrative government contracts made with the Guptas
• There is also an inquiry into a huge dairy farm run by a Gupta company with $18m of public funds• There is also an inquiry into a huge dairy farm run by a Gupta company with $18m of public funds
The Guptas and Zuma deny any wrongdoing.The Guptas and Zuma deny any wrongdoing.
“We’re viewing this investigation in a very serious light. We’re not playing around in terms of making sure that those who are responsible in the so-called state capture, they take responsibility for it,” Mulaudzi said.“We’re viewing this investigation in a very serious light. We’re not playing around in terms of making sure that those who are responsible in the so-called state capture, they take responsibility for it,” Mulaudzi said.
The Guptas are accused of “state capture” by the public prosecutor, a constitutionally appointed independent anti-corruption watchdog that coined the phrase to describe how the family has allegedly used its friendship with Zuma to influence ministerial appointments, secure multimillion dollar government contracts and gain access to inside information. The Guptas and Zuma deny any wrongdoing.The Guptas are accused of “state capture” by the public prosecutor, a constitutionally appointed independent anti-corruption watchdog that coined the phrase to describe how the family has allegedly used its friendship with Zuma to influence ministerial appointments, secure multimillion dollar government contracts and gain access to inside information. The Guptas and Zuma deny any wrongdoing.
A police officer at the compound blocked off access to the street in the upmarket suburb of Saxonwold saying: “This is a crime scene.”A police officer at the compound blocked off access to the street in the upmarket suburb of Saxonwold saying: “This is a crime scene.”
Another raid in Johannesburg targeted the home of the managing director of one of the principal companies owned and run by the Guptas.Another raid in Johannesburg targeted the home of the managing director of one of the principal companies owned and run by the Guptas.
Three arrests have been made and two other suspects are expected to hand themselves in, police said, adding that operations across the city were ongoing.Three arrests have been made and two other suspects are expected to hand themselves in, police said, adding that operations across the city were ongoing.
South Africa was pitched into an unprecedented political crisis when the ANC admitted on Monday that Zuma had defied its orders to resign, and that it had little idea of when the 75-year-old head of state would respond to its demand to leave office. South Africa’s was pitched into political crisis when the ANC admitted on Monday that Zuma had defied its orders to resign, and that it had little idea of when the 75-year-old head of state would respond to its demand to leave office.
The failure to immediately force out Zuma, who faces a range of corruption charges and has become an electoral liability, will be seen as evidence of deep divisions within the party, and underlines the failure of Ramaphosa, who is deputy president, to impose his authority. Jackson Mthembu, the ANC chief whip, said parliament would now vote on a no-confidence motion on Thursday.
Many in South Africa are increasingly impatient with the ANC’s management of the crisis, though the raid on the home of the Guptas will go some way to restore the sense of optimism prompted by Ramaphosa’s election as party leader in December. “We would like to create certainty ... to help people [who are] guessing what we are going to do next,” Mthembu said after a meeting of ANC lawmakers.
The ANC have a majority in parliament and opposition parties will not support Zuma. According to the constitution, the president and the cabinet must resign if the no confidence motion passes.
Mthembu suggested that an election for a new president, who is selected by representatives in parliament, could occur immediately after the no confidence vote if the chief justice, who has to preside, is available.
This raises the possibility that Ramaphosa, who is deputy president, could replace Zuma by the weekend or even earlier.
The failure to immediately force out Zuma, who faces a range of corruption charges and has become an electoral liability, has angered many South Africans though the raid on the home of the Guptas will go some way to restore the sense of optimism prompted by Ramaphosa’s election as party leader in December.
Zuma’s tumultuous nine years in power have undermined the image and legitimacy of the party that led South Africans to freedom from apartheid in 1994, but the former activist retains significant support inside the party and at a local level in many parts of South Africa.Zuma’s tumultuous nine years in power have undermined the image and legitimacy of the party that led South Africans to freedom from apartheid in 1994, but the former activist retains significant support inside the party and at a local level in many parts of South Africa.
Analysts have described the crisis as “a battle for the soul of the ANC” and “a referendum on the true balance of power within the party”. The party may be forced to move a no-confidence motion in parliament to force Zuma out. An opposition party has already scheduled a vote for 22 February.Analysts have described the crisis as “a battle for the soul of the ANC” and “a referendum on the true balance of power within the party”. The party may be forced to move a no-confidence motion in parliament to force Zuma out. An opposition party has already scheduled a vote for 22 February.
The ANC secretary general, Ace Magashule, suggested on Monday that many in the ANC would back Zuma, who has survived several no-confidence motions in the past, if the opposition tried to oust him in parliament.
South AfricaSouth Africa
ANC (African National Congress)ANC (African National Congress)
Jacob ZumaJacob Zuma
AfricaAfrica
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