Former President Jacob Zuma met with fugitive Ajay Gupta at a Hindu temple in Haridwar, India, in late June, sparking political backlash in South Africa. The meeting, which included South Africa’s Commissioner to India, Professor Anil Sooklal, has drawn criticism from the Democratic Alliance (DA) due to Gupta’s status as a wanted suspect in the multi-billion-rand state capture corruption scandal.
Why the meeting has caused political friction
The appearance of a former president alongside a fugitive has intensified existing tensions regarding government accountability. According to the DA, the meeting is an “insult to the people of South Africa.” The party has formally requested that the government explain why a South African diplomat, Professor Anil Sooklal, was present during the encounter with a person wanted by South African police. The DA accuses both Zuma and the Gupta family of involvement in the theft of the country’s wealth, framing the meeting as an affront to the public.
How the MK Party defends the trip
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has rejected the criticism surrounding the visit. Spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu stated that Zuma is a private citizen entitled to travel where he chooses. Mahlangu noted that Zuma has been visiting the Dakshin Kali temple since 2012 and argued that the presence of a member of the Gupta family at a public religious event is “not the problem” of the MK Party. Furthermore, Mahlangu criticized the South African judicial system, stating it has failed to secure a conviction against the family.
What happens next regarding the Gupta investigation
The public sighting of Ajay Gupta may lead to increased pressure on law enforcement agencies to clarify their knowledge of his whereabouts. Because South Africa has faced consistent challenges in extraditing the Gupta brothers to face trial, this encounter raises questions about whether officials were aware of the fugitive’s location. Future political fallout is likely, as the DA continues to demand answers from the government regarding the role of its diplomats in facilitating or attending meetings with individuals sought by the police.
Context of the encounter
During the visit, Zuma described Gupta as a “brother and friend,” noting that many in South Africa have long disapproved of their association. Zuma, who told reporters he expects to win future elections because “the people of God” support him, was introduced to a religious figure by Gupta during the trip.
