Extradition request to get Gupta brothers back gains momentum
In a matter that has been dragging on for years, the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) is hoping that the Gupta brothers will soon be in South Africa to face a raft of charges.
IDAC is expected to submit a new extradition application for the Gupta brothers to be hauled back to South Africa from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a 'strategic initiative.'
Extradition
South Africa's extradition request to the UAE was rebuffed in April 2023 for flimsy procedural reasons, and without sufficient explanation, after Atul and Rajesh Gupta were quietly let off the hook months before.
Following an outcry, the South African authorities were simply told to 'resubmit the application'.
In November of last year, the extradition request again ended in failure due to issues with jurisdiction.
ALSO READ: Gupta arrests: Turning state's witness could put brothers' lives in danger
Hiding in UAE
IDAC head Andrea Johnson said they will now submit a new extradition application.
'When we resubmit an application now, we've got to resubmit an application with all of the other matters that has since been investigated so that we can do it in on shot'.
WATCH: Advocate Andrea Johnson speaking about the Gupta brothers extradition
The Investigating Directorate will soon submit a fresh extradition application, for the Gupta brothers to be brought back from the UAE. Emirates authorities rejected the previous application, submitted in November last year. #Guptas #eNCA pic.twitter.com/fvQHT7s620 — eNCA (@eNCA) June 23, 2025
Johnson said Rajesh and Atul are still hiding out in the UAE.
'From what we understand, yes. I do believe that they do perhaps from time to time go to India. Be that as it may, our extradition applications would perhaps have to be more than just the UAE. It would depend at the time of the execution of the application, we would be most certainly looking at where are they and send those applications to the relevant authorities'.
Zuptas
Rajesh and Atul, friends of former president Jacob Zuma, are accused of using their relationship with the former president to profit financially and influence senior government appointments.
They were arrested in the UAE in June 2022 after Interpol placed them on its most wanted list.
The Guptas and the Zumas, famously named 'The Zuptas', were fingered in state capture.
Witnesses alleged they worked together to siphon money from Transnet, Eskom, and Denel, and made decisions about who was to be appointed to Cabinet. Zuma and the Guptas have persistently denied wrongdoing.
ALSO READ: Zuma and entire ANC must be sweating bullets after Gupta brothers' arrest
Spilling the beans
While many want a speedy extradition of the brothers to South Africa, political analyst Ralph Mathekga believes the Guptas might be in danger when they set foot on South African soil, because of the information they possess about the African National Congress (ANC) and top politicians.
Mathekga previously told The Citizen that politics in South Africa would be unravelled if the Guptas are extradited.
'They will be having to speak the truth, and it's a dangerous thing for the ANC. I won't be surprised if someone tries to kill them. This thing is big, it goes deep into the party, so look at what happened to the likes of Gavin Watson.'
'When you are becoming a liability and in a moment such as this, when the ANC is at this crossroad, ANC members will not be enticed. We've seen how they kill each other, I don't think there will be a problem,' Mathekga said.
Gupta threat
Gareth Newham, head of the Justice and Violence Prevention Program at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) said there may be people, possibly even Zuma that were implicated in state capture and would see the Guptas as a threat.
'That would be dependent on whether they would be willing to relay information, and considering that they would want to avoid spending the rest of their lives in prison, I can't imagine they would be very keen to give that information up.'
'What they would be doing with their billions is trying to ensure like our former president that they use every possible legal channel available, the 'Stalingrad Strategy' so to speak, to try and avoid standing trial and then they would try and make sure they are acquitted by not cooperating and providing potentially plausible narrative or evidence as to why they are not guilty of any crime,' said Newham.
Newham said, given the value of the Gupta brothers to the South African government, the fugitives from justice would be under intense protection against any attacks.
ALSO READ: SCA overturns Nulane accused's acquittal and orders retrial
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
15 minutes ago
- TimesLIVE
Tshwane opens 200 metro police officer trainee posts
The City of Tshwane has announced that applications for 200 metro police officer trainee posts are open. Young men and women of all races who are physically and mentally fit and dedicated to serving the city are advised to apply. 'Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified people without regard to race, religious belief, age, national origin, marital status, disability, HIV status, gender, social origin, culture, political opinion, conscience and sexual orientation,' the city said. Applicants must be South African citizens residing in Tshwane, between the ages of 18 and 35, must have a grade 12 qualification, a valid driving licence and no criminal record or pending criminal cases. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Interested applicants can apply through the City of Tshwane website and click on the e-recruitment link. The online system will close on August 5 and successful candidates will serve as metro police officials. The monthly stipend will be determined by the department. 'The City of Tshwane is committed to employment equity. Preference may be given to appointable applicants from the underrepresented designated groups in terms of Tshwane's employment equity plan. 'The city retains the right not to make an appointment and to verify all information provided by candidates. A process of progressive elimination will also be embarked upon in instances where a considerable number of applicants meet the minimum requirements for a position.'
IOL News
15 minutes ago
- IOL News
South African intellectuals propose new strategies for economic empowerment
Christo Van der Rheede hosted the FW De Klerk Foundation conference. Image: File A recent conference hosted by the FW de Klerk Foundation in collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung brought together prominent South African intellectuals to discuss alternative ways to empower South Africans and stimulate economic growth. The Constitutional Rights conference, titled "Achieving an Inclusive Economy", featured panellists including Moeletsi Mbeki, Ashor Sarupen, Dr Celeste Campher, Ismail Joosub, and Professor William Gumede. One of the key topics discussed at the conference, hosted by its Executive Director Christo van der Rheede, was the need to rethink the current Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy. Mbeki, a prominent economist and businessman, argued that BEE has failed to achieve its intended goals and has instead created a culture of dependency among black professionals. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "We have to repeal Black Economic Empowerment legislation," Mbeki said. "One of the most important consequences of the BEE combined with public sector salaries is that it disincentivises, especially young black professionals, to become entrepreneurs. It incentivises them to become public sector employees, and this is why South Africa is not building new companies." Gumede, a leading expert on economic development, proposed alternative empowerment strategies that focus on pragmatism and inclusivity. Gumede argued that the current BEE policy has benefited only a small elite group of black individuals, while leaving the majority of South Africans behind. "We need to shift to alternative optics of empowerment," he said. "The way empowerment is structured now is based on giving politically connected ANC leaders and trade union leaders benefits in existing companies. We need to bring small companies into supply chains and manufacturing so that the supply chains are in manufacturing. Secondly, we need to reward skills training and reward employment so that empowerment becomes that if you employ young people.' Gumede said pragmatism was a philosophy that must be implemented in South Africa. 'From South Africa's point of view, we need to focus all our state, economic, and nation-building initiatives on pragmatism… We need to look at what works and what is in the interest of everyone. We need to remove anti-growth policies,' he said. The conference also discussed the need to reduce the public sector wage bill, which is seen as unsustainable and detrimental to economic growth. Campher, an economist and policy analyst, argued that the government should prioritise infrastructure development and job creation over social interventions. "The current public sector wage bill must be reduced drastically to afford the building of public infrastructure," Campher said. "Our roads, harbours, and railway system are in a dilapidated state and must be fixed." Sarupen, a businessman and entrepreneur, proposed a Basic Employment Grant scheme that would provide individuals with a grant in exchange for rendering basic services at the municipal level. Sarupen argued that this approach would not only provide a safety net for the poor but also promote entrepreneurship and skills development. "A Basic Employment Grant should also be integrated with a skills and entrepreneurial development programme," Sarupen said. "Continuing to hand out grants for free perpetuates and has entrenched a dependency culture." One of the attendees of the conference, which was held in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, said that it highlighted the need for alternative empowerment strategies that prioritise inclusivity, pragmatism, and entrepreneurship. "If we rethink the current BEE policy and promote small businesses and job creation, South Africa can stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty and inequality," he said.
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
‘Open our eyes and ears' – Ramaphosa on how to tackle US tariff hike on SA cars
In response to the incoming US tariffs, Ramaphosa said South Africa needs to look at other markets. South Africa will feel the wrath of the Trump administration as it stands firm on implementing the 30% tariff on exports to the United States (US). Other countries will also be affected by President Donald Trump's decision, as their export tariffs are increasing as well. In South Africa, the automotive sector will be significantly impacted, as some brands, such as Mercedes-Benz, export to the US. President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking at the BMW plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria, on Thursday, highlighted that the automotive industry has a significant impact on the country's GDP, as it contributes 4.9%. ALSO READ: US tariff of 30% on SA exports: where to now? Ramaphosa on US tariffs BMW Group SA hosted an engagement to highlight its commitment to strengthening South Africa's economic vitality and advancing its industrial innovation. 'The tariffs from the US have turned the world upside down and are a huge threat to us as well because we export a lot of products to the US, such as vehicles, agricultural products and mineral products,' said Ramaphosa. During his keynote address, he added that SA is the 22nd largest car exporter in the world. Ramaphosa added that the US market is important to SA; however, it is time to diversify the country's export base and accelerate domestic value creation. 'As we face this threat of higher tariffs, we need to open our eyes and ears and see where else our vehicles can go.' SA government engaging on US tariffs Ramaphosa added that producers of some industries have already felt the pressure of the incoming US tariffs. He said the South African government is engaging with the US, and he hopes this will yield success in the coming days. 'We need to look at other markets, and being an African country, with an African continental free-trade, we have got to see how we open up the rest of the continent, because we have a very positive tariff-free opportunity with the rest.' He applauded BMW for exporting the new X3 to Europe. He said that exporting cars to other countries demonstrates trust in the skills South Africans possess and highlights the industry's potential. ALSO READ: Devastating impact of US tariffs on SA automotive sector even before implementation BMW Group South Africa invited President @CyrilRamaphosa to a showcase of the successful implementation of the latest investment for production of the new BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle at the automaker's plant at Rosslyn in Tshwane. — The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) July 24, 2025 BMW not affected by tariffs Danny Bester, BWM plant director, told The Citizen that they are not affected by the US tariffs, as they are not currently exporting to the country. 'Right now, we are not affected by the US tariffs because most of our volumes are going to other parts of the world, like Europe, Australia and New Zealand.' He added that they would like to have access to the American market. However, they have sent 16% of the current generation to the US. When asked if they will be looking into expanding in the future, Bester said BMW is aiming to build a new record volume by the end of the year. NOW READ: Mercedes-Benz halts production in Eastern Cape – Will employees be paid?
