South Africa's transport minister faced calls on Tuesday to return a luxury car he was given by contractors, in what has become a test of new President Jacob Zuma's promises to run a clean government. Zuma, sworn in 10 days ago, is under close scrutiny because of his eight-year battle against corruption charges, which were dropped weeks before his ruling African National Congress won an election landslide last month.
Transport Minister Sbusiso Ndebele said he saw no conflict of interest in accepting the 1 million rand ($117,000) Mercedes Benz S500 from contractors who do business with his department, but said he had sought advice from Zuma and the ANC. South African media, opposition parties and trade unions called on Ndebele to return the vehicle.
"Give it back, Minister," said a banner headline on the front page of the mass market Sowetan newspaper, accompanied by a photo of a sleek grey Mercedes. There was no immediate comment from Zuma's office. In a statement, Ndebele said: "We have not solicited or accepted a gift or benefit that is in return for any official favours from us or been in any way improperly influenced by any gift that may have been given to us."
Zuma vowed to stamp out corruption during his election campaign and opposition parties also focused heavily on public accountability. Corruption is a worry for South Africans and businesses alike on a continent where it has often held back growth. In the decade to 2008, South Africa slipped from 32 to 54 on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index.
Zuma's opponents say his innocence is still in doubt because the charges against him were dropped after a judge ruled there had been political meddling in the case - and not because he was found not guilty. Stuart Farrow, a member of parliament and the main opposition Democratic Alliance's shadow minister of transport, said the affair over the Mercedes was now an important test.
"I think the first thing to do is return it. President Zuma has said, in terms of his campaign, that he would form a clean administration," he told Reuters. The powerful COSATU trade union federation, which helped Zuma's rise to power, said it was concerned that Ndebele had been given the car, a plasma screen television, two cows and petrol vouchers from a group of contractors.
"COSATU calls upon President Zuma to set a precedent by refusing to sanction the gift to Comrade Ndebele and making it clear that his government strictly enforce the rules on gifts and not allow any of its members to accept donations which will compromise their independence," it said.