In a tumultuous session of Parliament today, South Africa's president rejected allegations that he is influenced by a wealthy business family, saying that he is in charge of the appointment of Cabinet ministers.
A day before, the country's deputy finance minister issued a public statement saying the wealthy, politically connected Gupta family directly offered him the finance minister job, replacing Nhlanhla Nene, who was sacked in December.
Mmusi Maimane, leader of the Democratic Alliance, said in Parliament today: "Is the president willing to take accountability for the decision and resign in front of the people of South Africa?"
"I am in charge of the government, I appoint in terms of the Constitution," President Jacob Zuma responded, to cheers from ruling party parliamentarians. "There is no minister who is here who was ever appointed by the Guptas or by anybody else."
Opposition lawmakers said Zuma's decision to fire the finance minister, replace him with a relatively unknown parliamentarian, and then again replace him with a more experienced former finance minister weakened the economy and currency.
Zuma denied this, saying the rand was already in decline before he shuffled finance ministers. Maimane attempted to challenge the president and was told to leave by the Parliament speaker.
As he left, members of the Democratic Alliance followed him out. They and other critics say the alleged influence of the Gupta family over Zuma is a threat to the country's democracy.
