Parliament's portfolio committee on mineral resources said on Wednesday it had resolved to institute an inquiry into graft allegations against mines minister Mosebenzi Zwane after he failed to show up for a hearing.
The committee said Zwane's no-show at the hearing followed an incomplete question-and-answer session last October.
“The committee could no longer entertain further postponements from the minister and took a decision to institute an inquiry," its chairperson Sahlulele Luzipo said.
"Members had outstanding questions from the initial Q&A session and they now reserve their right to ask them during the inquiry."
Zwane was implicated in a report by South Africa's former public protector Thuli Madonsela, which found that personal friends of former President Jacob Zuma tried to exert undue influence in the government and state-owned enterprises.
Both Zuma, who stepped down last week under pressure including from his own ruling ANC party, and Zwane have denied any wrongdoing.
- African News Agency (ANA)
