Zuma unable to comment on alleged job offering by Gupta: presidency

President Jacob Zuma is unable to comment on allegations that the wealthy Indian Gupta family had offered the government position to a former MP of the African National Congress (ANC), the South African Presidency said on Tuesday.

The Presidency said it has received media enquiries about a reported comment on social media by former ANC MP, Vytjie Mentor, who claimed that the Guptas had previously offered her the position of Minister of Public Enterprises.

Mentor also claimed that Zuma was in another room when the Gupta family offered her the position.

"Zuma has no recollection of Ms Mentor. He is therefore unable to comment on any alleged incident in her career", presidential spokesperson Bogani Majola said.

Also on Tuesday, the Gupta family said there had never been a meeting between them and Mentor where Mentor was offered a top job, as she had claimed.

The family challenged Mentor to file an affidavit, stating under oath that she was offered a ministerial position by the family.

The Gupta family has been under spotlight for allegedly meddling in South African political affairs.

The family reportedly keeps close ties with Zuma, and has huge business projects in South Africa.

In an interview with eNCA television in January, Zuma said he is not bothered by people's perceptions of his relationship with the Gupta family.

He said all the criticism of his relationship with the wealthy family was politically motivated. Enditem