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South Africa slams ex-president Zuma for meeting graft-accused Gupta
๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Nigeria /Elections & Politics

South Africa slams ex-president Zuma for meeting graft-accused Gupta

From Vanguard · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • South Africa's government criticized former President Jacob Zuma for meeting with Ajay Gupta, a brother accused of massive state asset theft.
  • Zuma, who plans to run for re-election, met Gupta in India, drawing condemnation for disrespecting South Africans who lost money.
  • The government launched an inquiry into Zuma's meeting, with the foreign minister accusing him of conducting a "parallel foreign policy."

The South African government has sharply criticized former President Jacob Zuma for meeting with Ajay Gupta, one of the brothers accused of orchestrating the siphoning of millions of dollars in state assets.

It is very disturbing that a former state president openly and unapologetically shows the middle finger to South Africans who have lost a lot of money through the Gupta brothersโ€™ shenanigans.

โ€” Khumbudzo NtshavheniSouth African cabinet minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni condemned former President Jacob Zuma's meeting with Ajay Gupta.

The meeting, which took place in India, was revealed after Zuma, 84, shared a video suggesting he intends to seek re-election. Cabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni expressed strong disapproval, stating it was "very disturbing that a former state president openly and unapologetically shows the middle finger to South Africans who have lost a lot of money through the Gupta brothers' shenanigans."

Zuma continues to show a middle finger and claim that he wants to run this country again.

โ€” Khumbudzo NtshavheniCabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni criticized Zuma's actions and his stated political ambitions.

Ntshavheni added that Zuma "continues to show a middle finger and claim that he wants to run this country again." The government has initiated an inquiry into the visit, with Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola accusing Zuma of operating a "parallel foreign policy."

parallel foreign policy

โ€” Ronald LamolaForeign Minister Ronald Lamola accused Zuma of conducting a "parallel foreign policy" by meeting with Gupta.

The Gupta brothers built a significant business empire in South Africa but fled after a judicial commission began investigating allegations of massive fraud, known as "state capture," during Zuma's presidency. Zuma, who led the country from 2009 to 2018, now heads the opposition Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party.

I decided to take a decision to retake the country forward. I am contesting.

โ€” Jacob ZumaIn a video from the meeting, Zuma indicated his intention to run for re-election.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.