South Africa has asked the United Arab Emirates for the extradition of the two brothers of the Gupta family, accused of being at the heart of a vast corruption scandal involving ex-president Jacob Zuma.
“We can confirm that the extradition request was duly submitted to the central authority of the UAE today,” South African Justice Minister Ronald Lamola told a press conference on Monday 25 July.
The Gupta family, of Indian origin, moved to South Africa in 1993. A year later, they set up a computer company, Sahara Computers, with nearly 10,000 employees. The Gupta had ended up acquiring many markets in the country, in various fields including mining.
Atul and Rajesh Gupta, who are wanted by Pretoria, had fled South Africa when the regime of Jacob Zuma fell; the latter having been forced to resign by his party, the African National Congress (ANC). The two men are accused of looting the coffers of the South African state, with the complicity of Zuma, during his nine years in power (2009-2018).
An arrest warrant issued by Interpol against them highlights a dubious public contract worth the equivalent of 1.5 million euros, linked to an agricultural feasibility study. It was in June that they were arrested in Dubai.
Following their arrest, Pretoria had indicated that South Africa and the Emirates were in discussion on the procedure to be followed for their extradition, while referring to an extradition agreement which had been finalized with Dubai in 2021.
However, according to experts, the request from the South African authorities, the first stage of the procedure, could take years.
By OMA Newsletter N° 794 of 07/26/2022
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
