The South African government on Monday confirmed the law enforcement authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have arrested Rajesh Gupta and Atul Gupta, brothers who face charges of political corruption under former President Jacob Zuma, reported France 24.
The Gupta brothers are accused of using links with Zuma, who ruled from 2009 to 2018, to get contracts, misappropriate state assets, influence cabinet appointments, and siphon off state funds. Zuma and the Guptas deny any wrongdoing.
The Gupta brothers left South Africa after Zuma was ousted in 2018 after facing massive furor within his own ruling African National Congress (ANC) lawmakers over corruption charges. An inquiry was established in 2018 to examine allegations of graft during the former South African president’s years in power. Zuma also faced allegations of corruption relating to a 1990s arms deal.
After the brothers fled the country, the two countries ratified an extradition treaty in April 2021, a move that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government had hoped would lead to the return of the Guptas to face corruption charges.
On Monday, the South African ministry of justice and correctional services said discussions are underway between various law enforcement agencies in the UAE and South Africa on the way forward.
It currently remains unclear whether the brothers will return to South Africa following their arrest.
The centrist Democratic Alliance, which is South Africa’s largest opposition party, welcomed the arrests.
“We hope that this is indeed the beginning of arrests and prosecution of those who have — locally and abroad — looted our country for years and are directly responsible for the hardships that millions of South Africans face today,” the Democratic Alliance said.
Last year Mr. Zuma was imprisoned for 15 months for refusing to testify before the South African investigation commission. He was released on parole after serving two months of his sentence in jail.
