KPMG clears out South Africa top brass after Gupta scandal

Accountancy firm KPMG has dismissed its leadership team in South Africa after an internal investigation was conducted into its involvement in the Gupta scandal.

The Gupta family, associates of South African president Jacob Zuma, have been accused of illegally influencing government contracts.

The global auditor had carried out work for the Guptas, which the investigation found to be ‘considerably short of KPMG’s standards’.

Chief executive Trevor Hoole is the highest profile executive to depart the company, while seven other senior executives have also left.

"This has been a painful period and the firm has fallen short of the standards we set for ourselves, and that the public rightly expects from us," new South African CEO Nhlamu Dlomu said.

"I want to apologise to the public, our people and clients for the failings that have been identified by the investigation."

KPMG said that several 'red flags' were missed by the executives when overseeing the work done for the Guptas.

South African media and civil society groups have led the campaign against the Guptas, with UK PR firm Bell Pottinger folding last week after its relationship with the family became known.