S Africa opens inquiry to probe graft charges against Zuma

South Africa on Monday started to investigate the corruption charges levelled against former president Jacob Zuma.

The former South African president is accused of overseeing widespread graft during his nine-year reign. The probe's focal point would be Zuma's alleged relationship with the Guptas, a wealthy Indian business family accused of wielding undue political influence.

The Zondo Commission, helmed by Deputy Justice Ray Zondo, was formed in March and will investigate the accusations that whether the Gupta brothers had influenced Zuma to award them government contracts.

Former South African finance minister Mcebisi Jonas had alleged that the Guptas attempted to bribe him for both personal and business interests in 2015. The family has denied such claims, Anadolu News Agency reported.

Jonas claimed that the Gupta brothers had vowed to make him the finance minister if he had paid the money.

The Gupta brothers- Ajay, Atul and Rajesh, had migrated from Uttar Pradesh to South Africa in the 1990s and own a business empire spanning from computer equipment, media and mining in South Africa.

The scandal-hit Zuma had resigned in February after he faced massive furore from his own ruling African National Congress (ANC) lawmakers over corruption charges. The former South African president also faces more than 780 allegations of corruption relating to a 1990s arms deal.

Following Zuma's resignation, the Gupta brothers fled the country in April and have been absconding.