Former South African president denies wrongdoing over Gupta family ties

Jacob Zuma, the former president of South Africa, has told an inquiry into corruption allegations that he has never broken the law with Gupta family and that he has been the victim of a "character assassination" campaign by enemies seeking his removal from power.

Zuma, appeared before a state commission on Monday to respond to allegations that he allowed cronies to plunder state resources and influence senior government appointments during his nine years in office.

The commission, led by Judge Raymond Zondo, said last month that Zuma was invited to appear "to enable him to give his side of the story". It is investigating a web of deals involving government officials, the wealthy Gupta family and state-owned companies.

Referring to the three Gupta brothers, Zuma said, “I never did anything with them unlawfully, they just remained friends. … Never, never did I discuss any matter that does not belong to them”.

“They were businesspeople and successful businesspeople,” Zuma continued. “I’m not a businessperson, I know nothing about business, I’m a politician, I know something about politics.”

Zuma, ousted by the governing African National Congress (ANC) in February 2018 and replaced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, has consistently denied wrongdoing over his nine years in power.

The Gupta brothers, who are close business friends of Zuma, have denied all allegations of corruption and left the country shortly after the former president's resignation.

Since his departure from office, Zuma has been in court on several occasions to answer corruption charges linked to a deal to buy military hardware for the armed forces in the 1990s.

In that case, Zuma is accused of committing 16 counts of fraud, racketeering and money laundering relating to a multibillion-dollar arms contract involving military hardware supplied by French defence company Thales to South Africa's armed forces.

South Africa's economy, the second-largest on the continent, grew just 0.8 percent in 2018. Overall unemployment, meanwhile, hovers at around 27 percent, with more than 50 percent of young people out of work.Development pitches as Kempinski’s Cabrits resort set to open in Dominica this fall

On the way to become the first climate resilient nation, Dominica is on its way to a major development project in enhancement of tourism under Citizenship by Investments (CBI) scheme introduced by the government.

The international property developers are focusing on high-end hotels and resorts which are superior designed, more sustainable and attraction for foreigner tourists. The Cabrits Resort and Spa Kempinski at Bell Hall Road, Douglas Bay is all set to open in the coming fall of 2019. The hotel marks range developments as it will be a second 5-star hotel in a row in the same year as hotel Jungle Bay was rededicated to Dominica a month earlier.

Surrounded by Dominica’s Cabrits National Park, the hotel construction can be seen in full flow. The initial infrastructure is almost completed, where some interior and exterior making is going on.

The unobtrusive design of peaceful and hidden away five-star luxury resort preserves the natural beauty and ecosystem of stunning, unexplored volcanic island. According to hotel authorities, Kempinski is committed to protect the authenticity of this pristine eco-tourism paradise while offering an enriching, contemporary guest experience that strikes a natural balance between land and sea.

The Kempinski resort features world-class accommodation with superior hospitality as well as access to the island’s 365 rivers, countless waterfalls and natural boiling springs. The 151 room resort with its breathtaking panoramic view of the Caribbean sea provides guests with luxury amenities.

Few months earlier in a youth forum at Portsmouth, General Manager of Kempinski resort, Michael Schoonewagen addressed the impact of the hotel to the local economy, how to optimize business opportunities to work hand in hand to meet the standards of the hotel. He also emphasised on that the opening of Kempinski would be able to give local enterprises.

Government is also working hand in hand with the international developers as new road constructions are underway to provide support to the travellers. Moreover, a few days earlier Dominica’s government lead by Dominica Labour Party also initiated the National Beautification campaign, under which the government with the help of local volunteer and public, will beautify the country and roads.