Zuma showing South Africa 'middle finger' by meeting Gupta brother – Minister

Former South African President Jacob Zuma’s encounter with Ajay Gupta at an Indian temple has provoked a stern rebuke from a cabinet minister, who accused the former leader of displaying contempt for the nation.

The meeting, captured in a photograph circulated by Indian media, shows Zuma and Gupta in what appears to be a religious setting. This encounter comes nearly a decade after the Gupta brothers were accused of exploiting their relationship with Zuma to influence state affairs and allegedly siphon public funds through a scheme dubbed “state capture”.

Although both Zuma and the Gupta brothers have consistently denied any wrongdoing, the allegations led to a judicial commission that, in 2022, concluded Zuma had facilitated the family’s influence over key government appointments, including the controversial dismissal of Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene in 2015.

The commission’s findings detailed how the Guptas allegedly secured advantageous positions for themselves within state-owned enterprises, particularly at Eskom, the national electricity provider. This pattern of influence-peddling has been a persistent challenge to efforts aimed at broadening economic participation, as discussed in our previous analysis of South Africa’s BEE leadership (/south-africas-bee-leadership-urges-inclusive-recognition).

Following the investigation, South Africa withdrew its arrest warrant for Ajay Gupta, while his brothers, Atul and Rajesh, sought refuge in the United Arab Emirates, where an extradition request was denied in 2023.

Speaking at a press briefing, Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni expressed her dismay, stating that Zuma’s actions amounted to “showing the middle finger” to South Africans who suffered financial losses due to the Gupta brothers’ alleged activities. She further criticized the involvement of South Africa’s high commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, who accompanied Zuma to the meeting, calling it a “disgrace”.

In response to the backlash, Zuma, who now leads the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, indicated his intention to run in the next national elections. The MK party secured approximately 15% of the vote in the 2024 elections, a outcome that contributed to the African National Congress losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since the advent of democracy in 1994.

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola announced that the government would investigate the meeting, suggesting it might represent an attempt by Zuma to conduct foreign policy outside official channels.

The episode underscores the enduring political and legal ramifications of the state capture allegations, which continue to shape South Africa’s political discourse years after the initial investigations began.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE