'I deeply regret these lapses and beg your forgiveness'
Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene has apologised for not meeting with the controversial Gupta family in a public space, describing it as "poor judgment".
The apology was made in an official statement through Treasury on Friday.
In evidence to the commission of inquiry into state capture, Nene admitted to meeting members of the Gupta family on several occasions, including going to their house in Saxonwold and their offices in Midrand.
Nene says part of his duty as a public office bearer is to meet with South Africans.
"However, I was wrong in meeting the Guptas at their residence and not in my office or at least a public place. I say this being mindful of the fact that it is quite common practice, not only in South Africa but globally, for public office bearers to attend gatherings, including dinners, at residences of business people, fellow politicians, and other stakeholders.
"But context matters. As soon as I became aware of the controversy swirling around the family's business dealings, I should, subject to there being a legitimate reason for doing so, have met Guptas, at my office accompanied, as is customary, by a Ministry of Finance or National Treasury official," he says.
Nene says he is aware that his conduct as a minister should be beyond reproach.
"But I am human too, I do make mistakes, including those of poor judgment. However, it is reasonable of the public to expect public office bearers to own up fully and timeously to the mistakes they make in the course of carrying out their public duties. I should also have disclosed early, and fully, the details of these meetings, in particular those that took place in Saxonwold.
"I therefore failed to live up to these ideals. These visits do cast a shadow on my conduct as a public office bearer. I deeply regret these lapses and beg your forgiveness."
Nene says he is happy that the commission is investing allegations that his son's oil company benefited from Public Investment Corporation (PIC) funds while he chaired the PIC board.
"On the allegations currently in circulation about me and my family, I am glad that the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture has undertaken to investigate them. I would encourage anyone who has evidence in this regard to hand it over to the commission.
"As I said on Wednesday, I stand ready to assist the commission in its investigation."