Two of the Gupta brothers were arrested by the authorities of the United Arab Emirates, while they were at the heart of the system of corruption put in place under the presidency of Jacob Zuma. This major arrest in Dubai has been causing a stir in South Africa since Monday evening.
South Africa’s Department of Justice said in a statement late Monday that it had received confirmation of the arrest of two of the Gupta brothers. “ The Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services confirms that it has received information from authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that fugitives Rajesh and Atul Gupta have been arrested. The authorities of the two countries are in discussion on the procedure to be followed, he continues, adding that “ the South African government will continue to cooperate with the UAE “.
These businessmen of Indian origin had taken refuge in Dubai, following the fall of the former South African head of state Jacob Zuma. Rajesh and Atul Gupta had been wanted by Interpol for four months.
Their name has become irretrievably linked to that of Jacob Zuma and to these years of looting of public resources in South Africa, recalls our correspondent in Johannesburg, Claire Bargeles. Rajesh, Atul and Ajay are at the center of ‘state capture’, this system of widespread corruption where the former president was their puppet and which has cost the country billions of euros. A system whose workings have been detailed in the hearings and reports of the commission of inquiry into corruption: siblings could at the time have a say in public appointments, in order to subsequently win many contracts fraudulent and very lucrative, not hesitating to bring down parts of the South African economy.
Now, two of the three brothers are therefore in the hands of the Dubai authorities. The South African Department of Justice says discussions are underway to decide on the next steps and whether they could ultimately lead to a future extradition to South Africa.