United Democratic Front leader Bantu Holomisa has called on Parliament to investigate the relationship between the government and the Gupta family.

In a letter to Speaker of Parliament Baleka Mbete, Holomisa detailed a number of media reports that have outlined the alleged influence of the controversial family on government.

He called on Mbete to direct the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence to conduct hearings based on reports and allegations against the Guptas.

Holomisa said the "widely reported proximity" between President Jacob Zuma and the Gupta family demanded immediate intervention "by an appropriate national legislative body".

"The reported transactions… exposes that critical and strategic industries are targeted for influence and capture by this family and its associates, chiefly amongst others being the son of the president."

Holomisa added that Cabinet seemed obliged "to be paraded during breakfast shows... directly, yet our public broadcaster [SABC] gets zero and all the millions go to the Gupta family".

The New Age newspaper, which is owned by the Guptas, regularly holds breakfast briefings with members of the Cabinet.

Holomisa said: "The capture and control of the Cabinet by this family has since gone beyond the breakfast shows [funded by State Owned Enterprises]. Today the nation knows that, recently, the Minister of Mineral Resources accompanied this family to Switzerland to help snatch yet another coal mining deal."

In the letter, Holomisa told Mbete that some members of Cabinet were "publicly undermined and embarrassed".

These disturbing reports are a source of discomfort and threat to the already devastated economy of the country. They further undermine the confidence of both local and outside investors, Holomisa said.

News24.com