Sisulu denies EFF’s Gupta claims

Lindiwe Sisulu has denied the EFF’s claims that she was moved from the defence department after she allegedly refused to lease aircraft from the Guptas.

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Johannesburg - Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu on Tuesday denied claims by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) that she was moved from the defence department after she allegedly refused to lease aircraft from the controversial Gupta family.

“The minister has noted the statement made by the EFF on her tenure as the minister of defence and military veterans. The minister is unaware and has no knowledge of the allegations made by the EFF,” said the ministry of human settlements in a statement.

EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu alleged that Sisulu turned down a deal from the Guptas to allow government to hire their aircrafts at the time when she was defence minister.

 

Shivambu made the allegations at an EFF Human Rights Day rally on Monday in Uitenhage and later repeated the claim to radio host Onkgopotse JJ Tabane during an interview on PowerFM.

“Sisulu refused the Gupta deal and was moved to public service and administration … take us to court over that,” Shivambu told the radio station.

Shivambu’s claims came in the wake of recent revelations by high-ranking ANC leaders who allege that the Gupta family offered them minister positions in exchange for business favours.

Former ANC MP, Vytjie Mentor, alleged that she was courted by the Guptas for a Cabinet post at their Saxonwold house.

 

Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas publicly confirmed earlier reports that the Gupta family offered him the finance minister post last year before President Jacob Zuma fired then incumbent, Nhlanhla Nene.

 

However, the ANC national executive committee meeting held over the weekend came out united in support of Zuma.

 

The ANC, which deliberated on the matter, called on those who have information on allegations regarding job offers in government allegedly made by the Gupta family to relay such allegations to ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe.

African News Agency