South Africa’s foreign ministry has cleared its high commissioner to India of any wrongdoing after a controversial June meeting between former president Jacob Zuma and fugitive businessman Ajay Gupta sparked outrage in Pretoria.
The government initially expressed fury when photographs emerged showing Zuma, Gupta and high commissioner Anil Sooklal together at a temple in Haridwar. Officials had described the diplomat’s apparent involvement as “a disgrace”.
No direct contact with Gupta
However, following an internal investigation, the ministry said Sooklal was among hundreds of guests at the event and had no direct contact with Gupta. He neither arranged nor facilitated any private discussions between the former president and the businessman, according to the statement.
“He has been cleared. We found no wrongdoing on his part,” foreign affairs ministry spokesman Chrispin Phiri told AFP on Wednesday.
Sooklal reportedly provided only standard protocol support typically extended to former heads of state.
State capture allegations
The Gupta brothers – Ajay, Atul and Rajesh – built an extensive business network in South Africa before fleeing the country in 2018 as authorities began investigating allegations of large-scale fraud. The scandal, known as “state capture”, centres on claims the family paid bribes to secure ministerial appointments and loot state institutions during Zuma’s presidency from 2009 to 2018.
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A 2016 report by South Africa’s anti-corruption watchdog detailed these allegations. Ajay Gupta was declared a fugitive in 2018, though authorities withdrew the arrest warrant a year later. His brothers relocated to the United Arab Emirates, which rejected South Africa’s extradition request in 2023.
Eyes on 2029 presidency
Zuma (84), who was forced from office under a cloud of corruption allegations, now leads the opposition Umkhonto we Sizwe party. In a video posted on social media after the India meeting, he suggested he would seek re-election as president.
South Africa’s local government elections are scheduled for November, with the next presidential poll due in 2029.
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