In 2016, he publicly alleged that the Gupta brothers had offered him the post of finance minister under President Jacob Zuma.

Born in the Eastern Cape, Jonas was an anti-apartheid activist in Port Elizabeth and a founding member of the United Democratic Front.

Jonas joined the National Assembly in the 2014 general election and was appointed as Deputy Minister of Finance under President Zuma's second cabinet.

He was appointed as special investment envoy to President Cyril Ramaphosa in April 2018 and as board chairperson of the MTN Group in December 2019.

[1] He matriculated at Newell High School in Port Elizabeth and studied history and sociology at Vista University, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts.

According to his official résumé, he received military training in Angola and Uganda and was recruited by the United Nations to run an educational programme for his fellow MK cadres.

[3] In September 2005, the charges against them were dismissed, with Eastern Cape High Court judge Dayalin Chetty finding that there was "not a shred of evidence even remotely implicating the accused".

[8] At this point, Jonas's political influence in the province was at its peak, and the Mail & Guardian viewed him as a frontrunner for election as Premier of the Eastern Cape.

In a fierce contest, Jonas stood for the provincial chairmanship, running against his colleague in the Executive Council, Phumulo Masualle.

[25][26][27] In addition, politician Vytjie Mentor and public servant Themba Maseko both came forward with their own accusations about improper advances by the Guptas.

[28][29] Jonas was interviewed by the Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, as part of her investigation into state capture, and Madonsela's report revealed additional details of his meeting with the Guptas, including that he had been offered a R600 million payout, in addition to the job of Finance Minister, and that Duduzane Zuma and Fana Hlongwane had both been present at the meeting.

[30] On 27 March 2017, Jonas and Gordhan were in London, England, launching an international investor roadshow, when Zuma's office ordered them to cancel their appearances and return to South Africa.

[32] Senior ANC leaders, including deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa and chief whip Jackson Mthembu, severely criticised the reshuffle,[33] sparking dissent against Zuma in the party and leading the Daily Maverick to label Jonas and Gordhan "the faces of the resistance movement".

[43] The final report of the Zondo Commission concluded that Jonas had provided credible evidence of the Guptas' influence over Zuma.

[45] In June 2018 Mcebisi joined the MTN Group as an independent non-executive director,[46] and he was promoted to board chairperson in December 2019, succeeding Phuthuma Nhleko.