State corruption in South Africa: two high-profile suspects arrested in Emirates

State corruption in South Africa: two high-profile suspects arrested in Emirates

#Other Countries Two key suspects belonging to the Sulfurous Gupta family, at the center of a massive state corruption scandal that implicated former South African President Jacob Zuma, have been arrested in the United Arab Emirates, the Justice Ministry announced on Monday.

,The Ministry of Justice and Reform has confirmed that it has received information from authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that fugitives Rajesh and Atul Gupta have been arrested.,South Africa’s ministry said in a statement.

Officials from both the countries are discussing the procedure to be followed, the ministry continues, saying ,The South African government will continue to cooperate with the UAE,,

South Africa is trying to bring to justice three Indian-origin brothers and businessmen, Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta, accused of looting public resources under the Zuma era (2009-2018). In July, an Interpol International Wanted Notice was issued against Atul and Rajesh Gupta.

>>> Read Also: South Africa. Corruption: Interpol issues an international wanted notice against Gupta brothers

A damning report published in 2016 described how close siblings of Zuma won lucrative government contracts and participated in the management of state affairs, including the appointment of ministers.

The Gupta brothers fled South Africa soon after a commission was set up in 2018 to investigate widespread corruption during Zuma’s nine-year rule.

These affairs contributed to the collapse of the latter, forcing him to resign. Sentenced to prison in July for contempt of court and now on parole for health reasons, his trial for corruption is still ongoing.

>>> ALSO READ: South Africa: Five suspects of Gupta ancestry are out of the country

A section of the Anti-Corruption Inquiry Commission’s report submitted in April noted that“IIt is clear that from the start of his first term, (former) President Zuma was ready to do whatever he wanted for the Guptas.,,

Jacob Zuma’s successor, current President Cyril Ramaphosa, has made the fight against corruption his main concern. But the Anti-Corruption Commission itself listened to him.

In 2019, the US Treasury banned Gupta, freezing his assets under US jurisdiction and specifically barring international banks with operations in the United States from transacting with him.

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