CAPE TOWN, June 20 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Parliament said on Tuesday it wants clarification regarding the naturalization process of the controversial Indian Gupta family.
Parliament has resolved to invite Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba, who was former Minister of Home Affairs, and Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), Mkuseli Apleni to give facts on the naturalization process of the Gupta family, spokesperson Malatswa Molepo said.
Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs had already initiated a process to engage the DHA on the matter because it considered the matter to be in the public interest, Molepo said.
The resolution also responds to the call to expedite the probe into the issue, he added.
Gigaba, who became Finance Minister in April this year, granted naturalization to the Guptas when he was Minister of Home Affairs.
The Gupta family's naturalization, which was revealed recently by social media, has sparked a public outcry.
The Guptas, who allegedly keep close ties with President Jacob Zuma and his family, have been under fire for exerting undue influence on Zuma in the appointment of cabinet ministers and the awarding to lucrative contracts with state-owned companies, known as "state capture."
Both Zuma and the Guptas have denied the accusation.
Parliament had arranged a meeting with Gigaba and Apleni on Tuesday, but both failed to turn up due to their busy schedules.
The meeting has to be re-scheduled for June 26 this year.
Regarding the invitation to Gigaba, Parliament will seek legal advice in order to ensure that any interrogation of the issue is done as per the prescripts of National Assembly rules and within the parameters of the law, Molepo said.
The legal advice is sought primarily because Rule 89 of the recently adopted ninth edition of the Rules of the National Assembly prevents members from "reflecting upon the merits of any matter on which a judicial decision in a court of law is pending", said Molepo.
Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, which has oversight over the DHA, is committed to urgently dealing with the matter, he said.
Gigaba has defended the granting of naturalization to the Gupta family, saying he handled the Guptas' naturalization application "in a lawful manner."
The granting of naturalization certificates of this nature is not unusual as similar courtesies have been extended to prominent businessmen, including executives of multi-nationals, and sports people, Gigaba said.
