Zuma’s India Visit with Gupta Brother Sparks Political Outcry
Former South African President Jacob Zuma caused a fresh political controversy during a recent trip to India after appearing at an event alongside Ajay Gupta, a brother of the notorious Gupta family who is wanted on corruption charges. The meeting, which took place in New Delhi, has been described by officials as a “middle finger” to South Africans.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the South African High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, and Zuma “were ‘showing the middle finger’ to South Africans” by associating with Gupta, who has been linked to a decade‑long state capture scandal. Ntshavheni added that the diplomat will face disciplinary action for “hobnobbing” with the former president and the accused businessman.
Zuma, who has been out of office since 2018, used the occasion to announce his intention to run for public office again, a move that has drawn fierce criticism from the current government. Critics argue that the former leader’s outreach to Gupta undermines ongoing efforts to address past corruption and threatens the credibility of South Africa’s anti‑corruption reforms.
The controversy revives public anger over the Gupta‑related scandals that dominated South African politics for years. Ajay Gupta, who fled the country amid investigations, remains a fugitive and is subject to international arrest warrants. His appearance with Zuma abroad has been interpreted as an attempt to rehabilitate his image and re‑establish political connections.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has not yet released an official statement on the High Commissioner’s status, but sources indicate that internal proceedings are underway. Opposition parties have called for a parliamentary inquiry into the matter, demanding transparency about any potential breaches of diplomatic protocol.
