The UAE has turned down a South African request to extradite two Indian-born brothers accused of systemically plundering state resources. Photo: Flickr / Damanpreet Singh
Gupta arrests: ANC calls for SA, UAE authorities to expedite extradition
The Department of Justice confirmed on Monday evening that Atul and Rajesh Gupta have been handcuffed in the United Arab Emirates
The UAE has turned down a South African request to extradite two Indian-born brothers accused of systemically plundering state resources. Photo: Flickr / Damanpreet Singh
The African National Congress (ANC) says it welcomes the arrests of the Gupta brothers Atul and Rajesh in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Guptas are considered central figures in state capture, having allegedly used their proximity to former president Jacob Zuma to unduly profit to the tune of billions from lucrative government contracts. The family fled South Africa in 2018 shortly after Zuma left office. The Department of Justice confirmed on Monday evening, 6 June 2022, that the two Gupta brothers had been handcuffed in Dubai.
ANC REITERATES SUPPORT FOR STATE CAPTURE COMMISSION’S WORK
The ANC was also found to have been complicit in state capture, together with the Gupta family. The party has called on the relevant law enforcement agencies in South Africa and UAE to expedite the extradition of the Guptas.
“We call on law enforcement authorities in South Africa and the UAE to expedite the extradition of Messrs Gupta to South Africa so that the charges against them can be adjudicated by a court of law to determine their guilt or innocence,” said ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe.
The governing party has once again expressed its support for the State Capture Commission, which exposed the legions of corruption in state institutions, including Eskom and South African Airways (SAA).
“The ANC reiterates its support for the work of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of StateCapture, headed by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. We further reiterate our call to government and all other relevant institutions in society to act on the Commission’s findings and recommendations. The latest developments underscore the commitment of the ANC-led government to rigorously root out all forms of corruption including, tender rigging, fraud, bribery and nepotism in all state institutions and the private sector”
ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe
OUTA has also expressed similar sentiments, saying: “We’ve always said that fighting corruption in SA requires resilience. That if the rule of law is allowed to take its course, those implicated will eventually get their day in court. It seems like that day is around the corner for the Gupta kingpins, this is a major step forward in the prosecution of state capture culprits,”
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