Is another Gupta-inspired reshuffle on the cards?
Political analyst Karima Brown says the resignation of Oakbay Investment CEO Nazeem Howa could be a precursor to a cabinet reshuffle.
Howa's resignation is with immediate effect.
"In ANC circles word is that either Eskom CEO Brian Molefe or MP Sifiso Buthulezi could likely succeed Finance minister Pravin Gordhan in the event that there is a cabinet reshuffle," Brown says.
The Gupta-owned company released a statement on Monday afternoon, saying Howa's resignation is due to ill health.
But Brown insists the resignation has everything to do with Gordhan's affidavit.
The Gupta family is under investigation by South Africa's Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) for more than 70 banking transactions amounting to R6.8billion.
Information about these transactions are included in Gordhan's affidavit which he filed in the Pretoria High Court on Friday.
"It would be very foolish and naïve to think that Howa's resignation has nothing to do with Gordhan's affidavit. I think the matters are now really coming to a head."
In response to recent media reports regarding legal proceedings involving Oakbay Resources, the company released a statement, advising its shareholders that of the 72 transactions reported to the FIC, five transactions relate to the Company, or its subsidiary company.
"The Company is in the process of investigating the five transactions referred to above, and is working with regulatory authorities, where necessary, in this regard."
Brown believes it's no coincidence that the timing of the affidavit coincided with the scheduled release of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's state capture report.
"State capture centres around the Gupta family's influence politically and their ability to dispense favours and buy political influence. Only someone who is wilfully blind will think that the one has nothing to do with the other."
Edited by: Faith Daniels