Zuma’s Haridwar Meeting with Gupta Brother Sparks South African Outcry
Former South African president Jacob Zuma caused a fresh political controversy after he was photographed alongside Ajay Gupta, the brother of the disgraced Gupta family, inside a temple in Haridwar, northern India. The image, taken on Thursday, shows Zuma addressing Gupta as his “brother and friend,” a description that has intensified public anger over Zuma’s longstanding ties to the Gupta network implicated in a decade‑long state capture scandal.
The meeting took place during Zuma’s recent trip to India, a journey that also included visits to several cultural and religious sites. While in Haridwar, Zuma and Gupta were seen together at the Har Ki Pauri ghat, a prominent pilgrimage spot for Hindus. The encounter was captured by local media and quickly circulated on social platforms, prompting South African officials and opposition parties to demand explanations.
Opposition leaders have called for a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the meeting, including the presence of a South African diplomat who accompanied Zuma. The diplomat’s role has become a focal point of the inquiry, with critics arguing that official representation should not have been provided to a former president under investigation for corruption. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has confirmed that an internal review is underway to determine whether diplomatic protocols were breached.
Ajay Gupta, who fled South Africa in 2017 to avoid prosecution, remains under international arrest warrants issued by the National Prosecuting Authority. His appearance with Zuma in India has revived calls for his extradition, with the South African government reaffirming its commitment to bring all members of the Gupta family to justice. Legal analysts note that the meeting could complicate diplomatic efforts, as India has not yet responded to formal extradition requests.
