Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni condemned a meeting between former President Jacob Zuma and fugitive Ajay Gupta in India this week [1].
The incident creates a diplomatic and political crisis as a high-ranking government representative allegedly facilitated a meeting with an individual accused of corruption. This encounter challenges the South African government's stated commitment to pursuing fugitives linked to state capture.
Ntshavheni said her remarks on Friday during a cabinet briefing in South Africa [2]. She targeted both Zuma and the South African High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, for their roles in the meeting [1]. The minister described the interaction as a disgrace and a "middle finger" to South Africans [3].
Ajay Gupta remains a fugitive accused of corruption in South Africa. The meeting in India suggests a level of coordination between the former president and the fugitive that the current administration finds unacceptable [4].
Ntshavheni said the event warrants an investigation [3]. She said that meeting a fugitive who is accused of corruption disrespects the citizens of the nation [2].
High Commissioner Anil Sooklal's involvement is a central point of the government's anger. By accompanying or facilitating the meeting, the diplomat may have violated official protocols regarding the treatment of individuals wanted by South African law enforcement [1].
The minister's strong language reflects the ongoing tension surrounding the legacy of the Zuma administration and the pursuit of those who benefited from the era of state capture [4].
“It is a disgrace and a middle finger to South Africans.”
This clash highlights the internal friction within the South African political landscape as the state continues to battle the remnants of 'state capture.' The involvement of a sitting High Commissioner in a meeting with a fugitive suggests potential lapses in diplomatic protocol or internal dissent, potentially complicating the legal efforts to extradite the Gupta brothers.
