CAPE TOWN, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- South African Minister of Mineral Resources Mosebenzi Zwane on Thursday denied involvement in state capture allegations linked with the controversial Indian Gupta family.
Appearing before Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources, Zwane said his relationship with the Gupta family is "at a professional level" and that he has "not benefited anything from that relationship."
Zwane, who keeps close ties with the family, is accused of collaborating with the Guptas in looting the state coffers such as awarding the family with lucrative contracts with state-owned enterprises in what is also known as state capture.
Zwane justified his relationship with the Guptas and disputed reports of any undue influence from the family.
"If there is a need to meet them (Guptas) tomorrow, I will meet them anywhere anytime, I continue to meet with people who have insulted me in the media, these people (Guptas) have not insulted me," Zwane told the parliamentary committee.
He said he will never favor one businessperson over the other.
"I am always objective; my work is to engage with everybody equally," he said.
Responding to questions about his travels to India, Switzerland and Dubai, allegedly sponsored by the Guptas, the minister said all the trips were work related.
He said details of these trips were a subject of court proceedings and asked the committee to let the legal process unfold.
"Some of the matters raised here are a subject of an investigation, it is my humble request that we allow legal process to continue. I will stand up for anybody who is not treated well and that would not mean I am captured by them (Guptas); they are my clients," the minister said.
Zwane also defended his intervention in negotiations on the sale of the Glencore coal mine to the Guptas at a 75 percent discount.
Zwane said his efforts saved about 3,000 jobs.
Committee members felt the minister failed to respond to a number of their questions, and resolved to schedule another meeting to continue the probe with him.
"I haven't heard a question that is directly on the executive authority of the incumbent, whether he acted irregularly or not," said Committee Chairperson Sahlulele Luzipo.
"Our recommendation is to reschedule to continue with the question and answer session with the minister," Luzipo said, adding that they would get legal guidance on the next step.
