South Africa’s alleged state capture kingpins, Rajesh and Atul Gupta, have been arrested in Dubai and will now face an extradition process to stand trial on corruption charges against them.
Minister of Justice and Correctional Services spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, confirmed on Monday night that the Gupta brothers had been arrested, following an Interpol red notice that was issued in July 2021.
“The Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services confirms that it has received information from law-enforcement authorities in the United Arab Emirates that fugitives of justice, namely, Rajesh and Atul Gupta have been arrested,” Phiri said.
“Discussions between various law-enforcement agencies in the UAE and South Africa on the way forward are ongoing. The South African government will continue to co-operate with the UAE,” Phiri said.
The brothers have been charged in the Nulane corruption case in the Free State after Nulane Investments Director, Iqbal Sharma, allegedly received a R25m tender to complete a feasibility survey on the Estina Dairy project in the province. The survey was outsourced to Deloitte for R1.5m and R21m was then paid over to Islandsite Investments – a company in which Atul and Rajesh Gupta and their wives were directors.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse welcomed the news of the Gupta arrests saying it hoped that South Africa and the UAE would co-operate to expedite the Guptas’ extradition so that they can stand trial.
“We've always said that fighting corruption in SA requires resilience. That if the rule of law is allowed to take its course, those implicated will eventually get their day in court. It seems like that day is around the corner for the Gupta kingpins,” said Stefanie Fick, OUTA’s executive head of accountability. “This is a major step forward in the prosecution of state capture culprits.”
Rudie Heyneke, OUTA’s lead investigator on state capture matters, also welcomed the arrest.
“It put an end to rumours about the Gupta family’s whereabouts and, with their arrest out of the way, we’re hoping that more arrests and swift prosecutions will follow.”
OUTA earlier investigated the Gupta Leaks, and shared information on its findings with law-enforcement authorities. The organisation also made several section 27 referrals to the NPA to assist their investigations into state capture.
