A South African politician has alleged that a controversial businessman threatened to kill him if he ever disclosed that he had been offered a bribe to become finance minister.

Mcebisi Jonas made the revelation at an inquiry into alleged corruption when ex-President Jacob Zuma was in office.

It is investigating if the wealthy Gupta family influenced political decisions, including naming ministers.

Ajay Gupta has denied that he ever meet Mr Jonas or offered him a bribe.

Accusations of graft dogged Mr Zuma's presidency before he was forced to step down in February.

Mr Jonas was deputy finance minister in 2015 when he says he was offered 600m rand ($41m; £32m) if he accepted the post of finance minister at a meeting at Mr Gupta's mansion in Johannesburg.

He alleges that Duduzane Zuma, the former president's son, was also present.

He says that had he accepted the deal, he would have had to use his position to advance the Guptas' extensive business interests - an example of what has become known in South Africa as "state capture".

While giving evidence to the commission of inquiry - set up on the recommendation of the public protector, South Africa's anti-graft watchdog - Mr Jonas explained how he had refused the alleged bribe offer.

"At the end of the meeting, Mr Gupta repeated that they had information on me and that if I suggested that the meeting had occurred, they would 'kill' me," he said.

Duduzane Zuma told the BBC in 2017 that there had been a meeting but no bribe was offered. (BBC)

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