THE South African government said on Monday that law enforcement authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have arrested Rajesh Gupta and Atul Gupta.
In a terse statement, the Department of Justice said: “The Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services confirms that it has received information from law enforcement authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that fugitives of justice, namely, Rajesh and Atul Gupta have been arrested.”
“Discussions between various law enforcement agencies in the UAE and South Africa on the way forwad are ongoing. The South African government will continue to co-operate with the UAE.”
The Gupta brothers, friends of former President Jacob Zuma, are accused in South Africa of using their relationship with Zuma to profit financially and influence senior appointments.
They have deny wrongdoing.
A report of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture said that the Gupta brothers Zuma not only against the people of South Africa but also to install their own lackeys at key institutions.
“President Zuma readily opened the doors for the Guptas to go into the State-Owned Enterprises and help themselves to the money and assets of the people of South Africa,” said the fourth part of the report which was handed to President Cyril Ramaphosa by Commission Chairperson Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
“President Zuma was prepared to remove people from their positions who were very good in their jobs if the Guptas wanted those people removed or if the Guptas wanted people associated with them to be put into those positions.”
The Gupta brothers – Ajay, Atul and Tony – first arrived in South Africa from Saharanpur in India in the early 90’s as freedom dawned under Nelson Mandela.
They started with a shoe store and rapidly built up a massive empire that included IT, mining and media, allegedly using Zuma’s influence.
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