South Africa plans new rules on ex-leaders' foreign trips after Zuma's visit to India - BBC News

Jacob Zuma was pictured with a businessmen allegedly at the heart of a corruption scandal in South Africa

Image source, Gallo via Getty ImagesImage caption, Former President Jacob Zuma's foreign trips have caused some embarrassment to South Africa's government

South Africa's foreign minister wants new rules and "more transparency" to apply to former heads of state undertaking foreign trips.

The recommendation to parliament follows a controversial visit to India last month by ex-President Jacob Zuma where he met one of the businessmen allegedly at the heart of a huge corruption scandal that played a role in bringing down his government.

The uproar over his meeting with Ajay Gupta prompted one minister to say that Zuma was showing the "middle finger" to South Africa.

Around a decade ago, the Gupta brothers were accused of profiting from their close links to then-President Zuma and influencing South African policy. Both parties denied wrongdoing.