Mbalula dodges Gupta questions

Sports and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula has evaded a parliamentary question over his links with the controversial Gupta family.

DA MP Shahid Esau asked him whether he had ever met any member, employee or close associate of the Gupta family, or attended any meeting with them at the Guptas’ Saxonwold estate or anywhere else since taking office.

Esau asked, in the case of such meetings taking place, what the names were of the persons present at each meeting, when and where each meeting had taken place and what the purpose of each meeting had been.

Mbalula replied he had been appointed to perform and account for duties relative to his portfolio and all other related questions were “irrelevant to the work of the ministry or any of my duties”.