By: Natasha Archary
Rajesh and Atul Gupta have been arrested in Dubai. Both brothers have been highly sought after for their involvement in South Africa’s State Capture.
While their arrest comes at an opportune time, it will be a long road ahead before they come back to SA to face the might of the law.
Initial news of the brothers’ arrest came as a shock with many believing it may just be a smokescreen cover-up for other pressing matters in the country.
However, the Department of Justice has confirmed their arrest, with discussions between various law enforcement agencies in the UAE and South Africa underway.
The Gupta brothers’ arrest comes with help from Interpol, including a warrant for four others in relation to fraud of over R24 million.
Rajesh and Atul Gupta have been linked to former President Jacob Zuma and corruption during his tenure. Using bribes to influence and benefit from senior appointments, contracts and tenders.
Charges the Gupta’s have vehemently denied. In 2018, they fled South Africa after siphoning billions of Rands from various parastatals in the country.
With red notices issued on Rajesh and Atul Gupta, both the US and UK declared them persona non gratia. This means the brothers would not have received protection in the form of diplomatic immunity from arrest and other types of prosecution.
The businessmen run the Sahara Group, with an annual turnover of over R200 million.
Most of their IT and mining companies have since been sold or closed.
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