Gupta Family Responds to Allegations of Attacking Gordhan

JOHANNESBURG – In response to an article in News24 yesterday – headlined “Guptas are attacking me, Gordhan tells Treasury staff” – the Gupta Family has issued a statement expressing “deep disappointment”; and claiming they firmly believe in the rule of law and are happy to answer to any and all allegations made against them.

The News24 article claimed that South Africa’s Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan had allegedly told staff, during a meeting on Friday, that he was being attacked by the Guptas because of work the Treasury was doing.

Earlier this week the EFF also claimed that the Hawks have gone after Gordhan on the orders of a section of the ANC “gunning for Treasury under the instruction of the Gupta family”.

The Hawks, a special police unit, had requested that Gordhan “present” himself on Thursday (which many believed was a sign he would be arrested) but on legal advice the Finance Minister had declined. President Jacob Zuma declared his support for Gordhan but said he had no authority to stop investigations.

In the meeting on Friday, according to News24, Gordhan allegedly told his staff that the allegations against him are incorrect, and that South Africa was undergoing a battle between Mandela values and those of people who steal.

Today, through Gupta Family spokesperson Gary Naidoo, the Guptas said: “We have read media reports on News 24 regarding the alleged comments by Finance Minister Gordhan to his Treasury Staff, about the Gupta family, with deep disappointment.

“We have repeatedly pointed out that our family has been a victim of a political campaign against it. A narrative has been constructed against us, which has been perpetuated by many media titles, and that flawed perception has become the truth in the eyes of some.

“Meanwhile, no charge has ever been brought against us. We repeat the challenge to our detractors – if you have evidence against us, please bring it. Otherwise, please leave us alone.

“We have no interest in politics, only business.

“We remain fully committed as shareholders to ensuring that our business are run on sound business lines with all transactions being done on a transparent, arms-length basis.

“We hold our executives to high standards and would not hesitate to take action against any one executive who breaches our internal codes of good practice, or indeed, any regulatory, or legislative policy, procedure or framework.

“We firmly believe in the rule of law and we are happy to answer to any and all allegations made against us.

“Finally, to the media, may we plead with you to not unneccesarily position us in the middle of the current issues in our country.”