Buyanga implicated in SA State capture?

ZIMBABWEAN businessman Frank Buyanga's close links with South African President Jacob Zuma have come under the spotlight amid revelations that he was recently implicated in the "State Capture Report" in which the African National Congress leader's relationship with the wealthy Gupta family was probed.

According to the Herald, the businessman is reported to have been part of President Zuma's entourage to Russia last year, and is believed to have been linked to the anti-corruption probe because of his close association with flamboyant arms dealer Fana Hlongwane - a key Zuma ally.

A source quoted by the South African media said: "We understand that Mr Buyanga's (name) cropped up in (former Public Protector) Thuli Madonsela's report, which called for remedial action to be taken in the form of a judicial commission and to be completed in six months.

"He might have been implicated in the Gupta and state-capture affair because of his business ties with Mr Hlongwane, who we know has been mentioned by a number of South African media outlets as a close associate of that Indian family.

"Nonetheless, Buyanga is so far in the clear although not entirely off the hook."

While Madonsela's report was premised on the need to establish the extent of the Gupta family's alleged influence on President Zuma's key decisions, including cabinet and parastatal appointments, Buyanga's activities are also said to be under the spotlight following indications that he played a major role in South Africa's exit from the International Criminal Court.