Zuma's visit with state capture suspect sparks anger

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says former President Jacob Zuma is showing the middle finger to South Africans and undermining the country’s foreign policy and criminal justice system in relation to Gupta-related state capture allegations, reports Iol. Ntshavheni also raised concerns over SA’s efforts to secure mutual legal assistance to bring the fugitive Gupta brothers back to the country. She further criticised what she described as inappropriate conduct by SA High Commissioner to India, Ambassador Anil Sooklal who accompanied Zuma during his recent visit with Ajay Gupta in India. She said it was unacceptable that a government representative was allegedly acting in a manner that compromised efforts to return fugitives to SA to face justice. Ntshavheni added that International Relations & Co-operation Minister Ronald Lamola had requested a full report on the matter, with government indicating that ‘drastic steps would be taken’ where officials were found to be undermining the law while representing the country abroad. She also said government was reviewing the privileges afforded to former State Presidents, warning that such benefits could be reconsidered if they were abused. ‘Government is entitled to review such privileges if they are abused to undermine the laws of this Republic,’ she said. Ntshavheni accused Zuma of repeatedly undermining the state, foreign policy and legal processes, adding that his conduct reflected ongoing disregard for the country’s institutions. ‘We have lost a lot of money through the Gupta brothers’ shenanigans in our country, and (Zuma) continues to show the middle finger and claims that he wants to run this country again. It shows the type of person he is, and it's for South Africans to judge,’ she said.

The Department of International Relations & Co-operation (Dirco) on Saturday refused to address the matter. On Friday, Democractic Alliance MP Ryan Smith revealed that it was confirmed to the parliamentary Committee on International Relations that Sooklal received written instructions from Dirco to receive Zuma and Ajay Gupta. IoL reports that committee chairperson Supra Mahumapelo shared the information in a message on their Whatsapp group. ‘I am not sure how the communication was disseminated to the chairperson, but that is confirmed on our Whatsapp group,’ said Smith. While Mahumapelo said he noted the DA’s statement, he confirmed that he had taken the committee into his confidence that the committee was handling the private visit by Zuma. A Dirco spokesperson would not be drawn into commenting, stating that their response to written questions remained the position of Minister Ronald Lamola’s office. Lamola’s spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, said Lamola has asked the department to initiate an internal inquiry into the matter. Smith said if Sooklal received instructions from Dirco to formally receive Zuma and Ajay, heads must roll. The Guptas fled SA in 2018. SA's request to extradite Atul and Rajesh from the UAE in 2023 failed after a court in Dubai ruled on a technicality not to proceed with it, reports the Daily Maverick. The National Prosecuting Authority has no active extradition proceedings against any of the three fugitive brothers.