Gupta brothers accused of defrauding South Africa arrested in UAE
- Rajesh and Atul Gupta, allegedly the kingpins behind the theft of US$32 billion from state companies, were detained by United Arab Emirates authorities
- A graft inquiry detailed close links between the brothers and ex-president Zuma, with witnesses saying they jointly decided who was appointed to the cabinet
Two members of the Gupta family have been arrested in the United Arab Emirates, the biggest step yet in South Africa’s fight to bring to account the kingpins accused of orchestrating the looting of its state companies.
Rajesh and Atul Gupta were detained by UAE law-enforcement authorities and discussions are taking place on the way forward, South Africa’s Justice Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
A judicial inquiry into state corruption spanning more than three years detailed close links between the brothers and former president Jacob Zuma, with numerous witnesses alleging that they worked hand in hand to siphon money out of state transport, power and arms companies and jointly decided who was appointed to the cabinet.
The government has said at least 500 billion rand ($32 billion) was stolen during Zuma’s nine-year rule. The Gupta brothers and Zuma have always denied the allegations.
The arrests come a year after the UAE ratified an extradition treaty with South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration first asked the Emirati authorities to extradite members of the Gupta family in 2018, and the US imposed restrictions ranging from visa bans to asset freezes on them the following year.