South African police raid Indian origin Gupta family house increasing pressure on Zuma

Pretoria, February 14: Following the political turmoil regarding corruption charges against South African President Jacob Zuma, an elite police team of the country has raided the luxurious family home of Indian origin’s Gupta family, a close friend of Zuma. South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma, who is too much reluctant to reign despite several calls, was given an ultimatum to step down on Tuesday.

During the end of English regime in South Africa, the three brothers, Atul, Rajesh and Ajay, moved to the country in 1993 from India. The family owns a range of business interests in South Africa, including computing, mining, air travel, energy, technology, and media. In 2017 more than 100,000 emails were leaked which appeared to show the extent the family had exerted their influence.

“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,” Hangwani Mulaudzi, a spokesman for the police unit known as the Hawks said.

Zuma took the charge of the President in 2009 is faxing mounting pressure on him to resign. His nine-years rule is alleged with a whole lot of corruption leading to a deformed image of ANC as well as a devastating economic crisis in the country.

In December, he was replaced as leader of the ANC by Cyril Ramaphosa, the deputy president. Since then, his position even within the party has weakened. Hence, though he earlier evaded resignation, this time it is quite impossible. Moreover, before next year’s election, ANC reformers want to rebuild the image.