Archbishop Thabo urges transparency in South African government

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba has spoken out over the revelation by a South African government minister that friends of President Jacob Zuma offered him the post of Finance Minister.

The Archbishop's remarks come amid growing controversy over the influence of the Gupta family on the government. The president's opponents allege that members of the family are using their friendship with him to advance their and his family's business interests.

The Archbishop recorded and issued the following remarks on March 17:

Perhaps let me start by saying thank you to the Deputy Minister, Mcebisi Jonas, for courageously speaking out about the influence of a non-governmental family in matters of State. 

As a Christian leader, my hope and prayer is to heed the Gospel imperative that the truth will set you free, and I encourage every member at every level within our government to take this as an invitation to talk and tell the truth. 

My message to the NEC of the ANC this weekend is: please be bold, be courageous, tell the truth because the truth will set you free. This is not witch-hunting but it is to elevate the country and our democracy to a place where constitutional values matter, where transparency, openness and confession when we have failed should characterise us as South Africans.