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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

South Africa slams Zuma for meeting India’s Gupta brother accused of corruption

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • South Africa's government strongly criticized former President Jacob Zuma for meeting Ajay Gupta in India.
  • Ajay Gupta is accused of siphoning millions of dollars from state assets.
  • The government views Zuma's actions as running a "parallel foreign policy" and a disgrace.

The South African government has issued harsh criticism against former President Jacob Zuma following his meeting in India with Ajay Gupta, one of the Gupta brothers accused of massive corruption and state asset siphoning. The meeting, which occurred recently, has drawn significant condemnation from the current administration.

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.

— Khumbudzo NtshavheniCabinet minister criticizing Jacob Zuma's meeting with Ajay Gupta.

Cabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni expressed dismay, stating 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 brothers’ shenanigans." Ntshavheni added that Zuma "continues to show a middle finger and claim that he wants to run this country again," highlighting the perceived disrespect to the nation.

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

— Khumbudzo NtshavheniFurther criticism of Zuma's actions and political ambitions.

Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola accused Zuma of conducting a "parallel foreign policy." The government has launched an inquiry into Zuma's visit. The Gupta brothers, who built a vast business empire in South Africa, fled the country in 2018 amid allegations of massive fraud and "state capture" during Zuma's presidency. A 2016 report by South Africa’s anti-corruption watchdog detailed claims of the brothers paying bribes to influence ministerial appointments and plunder state resources.

parallel foreign policy

— Ronald LamolaForeign Minister accusing Zuma of conducting an independent foreign policy.

Adding to the controversy, a video from the meeting shows Zuma referring to Ajay Gupta as a "brother and friend" and suggesting he intends to run for president again. Ntshavheni further called it a "disgrace" that South Africa's high commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, accompanied Zuma to the meeting. Zuma, who led the country from 2009 to 2018, now heads the opposition Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party.

brother and friend

— Jacob ZumaZuma's description of Ajay Gupta during their meeting.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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