By Akani Nkuna
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has cleared High Commissioner to India Anil Sooklal of arranging, facilitating or participating in private meetings between former president Jacob Zuma and state capture-implicated businessman Ajay Gupta during Zuma’s controversial trip to India.
DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said in a statement on Wednesday that the department had completed its internal consultations with Sooklal over Zuma’s private visit, which took place from 25 to 27 June.
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“Information provided by the South African High Commission in New Delhi indicates that the Mission did not facilitate any substantive engagement between former President Jacob Zuma and Mr Ajay Gupta during the visit,” Phiri said.
“The assistance rendered formed part of the established protocol, administrative and logistical support ordinarily extended to former Presidents through official channels, including ceremonial lounge arrangements, airport courtesies, liaison with host government authorities, and related travel facilitation.”
Sooklal was recalled to DIRCO headquarters for consultations in early August after photographs and footage surfaced showing him, Zuma and Gupta at a religious ceremony in Haridwar.
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Footage from the visit also showed Zuma speaking to local media and describing Gupta as his “friend and brother”. Zuma also spoke about returning to political power.
The clips sparked a political backlash, with Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni criticising Zuma and Sooklal and accusing them of showing a “middle finger” to South Africans.
The Gupta family left South Africa in 2018 amid mounting investigations into allegations of corruption and state capture during Zuma’s presidency. The Zondo Commission detailed extensive evidence about the family’s influence over government and state-owned entities, and their protection by some of the country’s top politicians.
Phiri said the High Commissioner attended the event in his capacity as head of mission after receiving a separate invitation from the organisers. He did not accompany either Zuma or Gupta and reported having no direct interaction with Gupta, who was among about 1,000 invited guests.
“The Department’s assessment is that the Mission’s role was confined to ceremonial reception and departure arrangements, as well as attendance at a public religious event for which the High Commissioner had been independently invited in his official capacity,” Phiri said.
“The information available indicates that the Mission did not arrange, facilitate or participate in any private meetings involving former President Zuma and Mr Gupta.”
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said last month that DIRCO had recommended a new framework governing diplomatic and protocol support for former presidents and former deputy presidents travelling abroad.
