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Mabuza distances ANC from the Guptas

Premier of Mpumalanga David Mabuza. Picture Credit: Thulani Mbele
Premier of Mpumalanga David Mabuza. Picture Credit: Thulani Mbele

Mpumalanga premier David Mabuza has distanced the ANC from President Jacob Zuma's friendship with the controversial Gupta family.

"We are saying let them give the ANC space to do its job," Mabuza said yesterday.

"We are saying the Guptas are too close to the ANC and whatever friendship they have with the president, we distance ourselves as the ANC."

Mabuza made the remarks at a media briefing following the joint provincial working committee meeting between Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal ANC leaders held in Mbombela yesterday.

The KZN delegation was led by provincial chairman Sihle Zikalala.

Guptas seek to shift billionsThe Gupta family sought advice on how to move tens of billions of rand to the United Arab Emirates‚ revealing the enormous size of their empire‚ the Sunday Times reported. 

Mabuza's latest remarks that the party should denounce the Guptas can be interpreted as indication that he will join the Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa's slate if Zuma does not reject the Gupta family.

Meanwhile, Zikalala referred to the Guptas as the "parasitic bourgeoisie", whose aim is to milk the state.

"We are saying our people should not view the ANC in the image of Guptas," Zikalala said.

"We are saying let the Guptas leave the ANC alone to run its business."

Meanwhile, Sowetan has learnt that KZN ANC leaders and their counterparts in Gauteng will have a bilateral meeting next week in a bid to reach a consensus about a presidential candidate to succeed Zuma, among other things.

The two provinces are not on the same page on the leadership question.

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