THE National Prosecuting Authority has asked Interpol to assist with extraditing the Gupta brothers and their wives, including several business associates.
Ankit Jain, a former Nulane Investment Bank of Baroda account signatory and two others are also named.
The warrant relates to R25 million paid for a feasibility study to determine the viability of the failed R288 million Estina dairy farm project in the Free State.
The Gupta brothers, close friends and associates of former president Jacob Zuma, fled the country in 2018 and are reportedly in the United Arab Emirates.
Four others have officially been charged at the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s court on Thursday.
Iqbal Sharma, who is a business partner to Gupta associate Salim Essa, and former Free State officials Peter Thabethe, Limakatso Moorosi and Seipati Dlamini were formally charged with fraud and money laundering in Bloemfontein on Thursday.
The NPA’s Investigating Directorate head, Hermione Cronje, said the authority is applying to Interpol to assist with the execution of arrest warrants.
“The modus operandi used in this case appears to have been replicated in other government departments and projects. It is therefore critical that the evidence gathered in this matter is presented to court and a verdict obtained expeditiously.
“It is for this reason that prosecutors have decided to proceed separately against the accused currently in the country and those abroad, as the process of arrest and extradition may unduly delay the trial,” explains Cronje.
- Inside Politics
