Gupta brothers arrested in UAE over corruption in South Africa
Indian businessmen, Ajay Gupta and younger brother Atul Gupta at a one on one interview with Business Day in Johannesburg, South Africa on 2 March 2011, regarding their professional relationships. Martin Rhodes | Gallo Images | Business Day
What you need to know:
- The Ministry of Justice "confirms that it has received information from law enforcement authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that fugitives of justice, namely, Rajesh and Atul Gupta have been arrested," it said in a statement.
Two Indian-born business brothers who were allegedly at the centre of a massive web of state corruption in South Africa have been arrested in Dubai, Pretoria announced Monday.
The Ministry of Justice "confirms that it has received information from law enforcement authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that fugitives of justice, namely, Rajesh and Atul Gupta have been arrested," it said in a statement.
The family members are allegedly at the centre of a corruption scandal that dogged former president Jacob Zuma's administration.
They were accused of paying bribes in exchange for massive state contracts and influence over ministerial appointments.
Their arrests come almost a year after Interpol issued a red notice in July last year.
Red notices are a global alert enabling law enforcement to arrest a person sought for prosecution or to serve a custodial sentence and detain them pending extradition.
"Discussions between various law enforcement agencies in the UAE and South Africa on the way forward are ongoing," said the ministry.
They fled South Africa shortly after a judicial commission probing corruption started in 2018.
After four years of investigations, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo compiled a report, revealing how the wealthy brothers became enmeshed with the highest levels of government and the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
In July last year Interpol said they were being sought in connection with a 25 million rand ($1.6 million, 1.5 million euros) contract paid to a Gupta-linked company, Nulane Investment, to conduct an agricultural feasibility study.
