By Staff Writer
Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola says a court in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) denied South Africa’s request to extradite the corruption-linked Gupta brothers back in February.
Attempts to bring the brothers, Atul and Rajesh, back to the country from the UAE to face the law were dismissed on technicality. Lamola says he is shocked by the decision.
Lamola gave an update on the Gupta brother’s case at a media briefing on Friday morning where he was joined by the department’s director-general advocate Doctor Mashabane and national public prosecutions director advocate Shamila Batohi.
“We find it shocking that such technicality has been sighted when all these efforts have been put by us,” said Lamola.
Lamola said that even if there had been an issue based on a technicality, according to the Nations Convention on Corruption, the UAE should have requested clarity from the South African government.
“There is no basis whatsoever for this technical judgement that we have been given,” Lamola said.
The brothers have been linked to corrupt activities in the Estina and Nulane Investment cases. They have also been linked to systemic political corruption at the State Capture Commission.
The media briefing follows international media reports about the Gupta brothers, who were reportedly in jail, being spotted in Switzerland.
Lamola had previously expressed concern about the lack of updates on the case from the UAE.
The Department of Justice says it plans to appeal the decision.
South Africans, including politicians and media commentators, posted messages of disappointment on social media platforms.
Pictured above: Gupta brothers
Image source:@jacarandafm
