Director General of Home Affairs given 'precautionary suspension'

Mkuseli Apleni

Director General of Home Affairs given ‘precautionary suspension’

No official reason has been given, but it seems like we have another Gupta fall guy here…

Director General of Home Affairs given 'precautionary suspension'

Mkuseli Apleni

Home Affairs Director General Mkuseli Apleni has been given a precautionary suspension as of Monday 18th September.

In in exceptionally brief statement – communicated in one sentence late this afternoon – it was announced that the D.G would serve his suspension effective immediately.

Now, no reason has been given, and we are scrambling to get to the bottom of this one. It’s exceptionally rare for a statement of such magnitude to be so short and uninformative.

Motivating factors for suspending Mkuseli Apleni

From what we understand however, it is more than likely linked to our favourite Indian billionaires, the Guptas.

Back in June, Apleni was forced to admit that the Guptas’ citizenship application was not tabled before Parliament as was legally required. However, he told the committee on Home Affairs that the process of naturalisation was above board.

Could Malusi Gigaba be implicated soon?

As we reported last week, OUTA filed charges of corruption and fraud against Malusi Gigaba. This was due to his role in facilitating the visa process for the Guptas and their movements between India and SA.

Gigaba, the then-Home Affairs Minister, appointed Gideon Christians to a specific role at the consulate in India: A trusted, sought-after employee who would do the family’s bidding. This appointment was made despite Gigaba being told there was ‘no role available’ for Christians to go and work there.

Both Gigaba and Apleni had to explain themselves to the Home Affairs portfolio committee three months ago. It seems like Mr Apleni’s decision to jump into bed with the Guptas has left him royally screwed.