Cape Town – Justice Minister Ronald Lamola on Saturday clarified that the Gupta brothers arrested in India are not the ones sought by South Africa.
During a media briefing at the ANC’s Siyanqoba rally, Lamola said that the arrested individuals are not Ajay and Atul Gupta, who are still wanted by South African authorities with an active Interpol red notice.
“There are media reports indicating the arrest of Gupta family members in India. We want to clarify that for the world. According to the information at our disposal verified by our high commissioner in India the Gupta family members that have been arrested are not the ones in the warrant of arrest as issued by South Africa and as per the red notice issued by Interpol … It is not Ajay and Atul Gupta that have been arrested.
[WATCH] Justice Minister Ronald Lamola clarifies that the #Gupta brothers who have been arrested in India, are not those on the warrant of arrest issued by South Africa. pic.twitter.com/hCQ9npkvwR
— Queenin Masuabi (@Queenin_M) May 25, 2024
“We also want to confirm that the red notice of Interpol is still valid across the globe. Wherever they [Gupta brothers] are in the world, every state has a duty to arrest them,” said Lamola.
Earlier reports from India indicated that Ajay and Anil Gupta were arrested for abetting a suicide in Dehrandun.
[WATCH] Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola clarifies allegations regarding the arrest of the Gupta brothers. “The South African authorities have issued a warrant of arrest through Interpol. As far as we know, they are not arrested yet.”#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/9mGs9hcGuj
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) May 25, 2024
The minister said that the South African government continues to pursue Ajay and Atul Gupta for their alleged involvement in political corruption and looting during Jacob Zuma’s presidency.
“The Guptas that were arrested in India were arrested in connection with what they did there. For us as South Africa, what is important is that the two Gupta brothers who are fugitives of law in South Africa, Ajay and Atul Gupta, it is not them who were arrested,” he said.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: X/@Manikipi
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu