Zuma Names Novice Mines Minister Facing Critical Gold Wage Talks
- Mines minister became a member of parliament this month
- Sensitive gold sector wage talks had made good progress
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South African President Jacob Zuma’s decision to appoint a new mines minister with no experience in the industry or national politics may destabilize critical wage talks at gold mines, analysts said.
The new minister, Mosebenzi Zwane, is a lawmaker whose previous political apex was in the government of the rural Free State province. He became a member of parliament this month. National newspapers including the Mail & Guardian and Business Day also allege Zwane is connected to the Gupta family, personal friends of Zuma with business interests in South Africa including computer systems and a uranium mine.