JOHANNESBURG – Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas has confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the Gupta family offered him the position of Finance Minister to replace then minister Nhlanhla Nene. Despite
Jonas said in a statement yesterday evening, “I have decided to respond to and clarify certain questions that have been in the public domain recently.”
“Let me state the facts on the matter of whether I was approached by nongovernmental individuals in respect of the position of Minister of Finance. Members of the Gupta family offered me the 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.”
“Let me also place it on record that there was no discussion between the Deputy Secretary General of the ANC Ms Jessie Duarte and myself on this matter.”
“I have hesitated to speak out publicly on this matter until now, but I feel it is 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 and urgent challenges we face as a country.”
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