By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it is engaging with the relevant authorities regarding the arrest of the two Gupta brothers in the UAE.
NPA national spokesperson advocate Mthunzi Mhaga has confirmed today following media inquiries about plans to extradite the two brothers, Atul and Rajesh Gupta following their arrest in the UAE.
Mhaga said: “Extradition is a complex process involving many role players, including the executive.
It would therefore not be appropriate for the NPA to discuss the details of that process in the media but can confirm that we are engaging with relevant authorities in SA and the UAE,” he said.
Mhaga said the NPA has an experienced team of internal and external experts who are working closely with law enforcement and their partners in the criminal justice system on the matter.
Civil society groups and political organisations have hailed the arrests and are now asking the government and law enforcement agencies to move quickly and ensure that the two Gupta brothers face the music in South African courts.
AfriForum said it welcomed the arrest of the Gupta brothers.
AfriForum’s Ernst van Zyl, said: “This arrest is a step in the direction of justice, but there is still a long way to go and AfriForum has some demands that will help justice prevail.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa’s) Stephanie Fick also welcomed the news that the Gupta brothers charged in the Nulane corruption case in the Free State, have been arrested in Dubai.
“The charges were brought against the brothers after Nulane Investments Director, Iqbal Sharma allegedly received a R25m tender to complete a feasibility survey on the Estina dairy project in the Free State. The survey was outsourced to Deloitte for R1.5m and R21m was then paid over to Islandsite Investments – a company in which Atul and Rajesh Gupta and their wives were directors.”
Similar sentiments were expressed by the DA, ActionSA, Cope and Freedom Front Plus.
The African National Congress says it notes and welcomes the arrests of Messrs Rajesh and Atul Gupta by law enforcement authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“We call on law enforcement authorities in South Africa and the UAE to expedite the extradition of Messrs Gupta to South Africa so that the charges against them can be adjudicated by a court of law to determine their guilt or innocence.”
The ANC reiterates its support for the work of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, headed by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.