Faizel Patel, 2016-03-16
Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas has confirmed that the Gupta family offered him the job of Finance Minister but he rejected it.
Jonas issued a statement today saying he wanted to respond and clarify questions on whether he was offered a ministerial position by the Gupta family.
“Members of the Gupta family offered me position of Minister of Finance to replace then-Minister Nene. I rejected this out of hand. The basis of my rejection of their offer is that it makes a mockery of our hard earned democracy, the trust of our people and no one apart from the President of the republic appoints ministers.”
The Gupta family has previously denied claims that they had made the offer to Jonas.
Jonas says he hesitated to speak out publicly on the issue but felt it was no longer possible to remain quiet.
“Of primary concern to me is that this issue has a real danger of diverting attention away from the real challenges we face as a country.”
He also dismissed claims that ANC Deputy Secretary General Jessie Duarte also made the same offer to him.
“Let me also place it on record that there was no discussion between Jessie Duarte and myself on this matter.”
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