Dylan Bettencourt
The Gupta family’s assets worth millions of rands have been seized by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
The order was granted by the Bloemfontein High Court.
The freezing of their assets as well as their homes also applies to Gupta associate, Iqbal Sharma and his wife Tarina Patel.
NPA spokesperson, Sindi Sekoba said: “The NPA investigative directorate has received an unlimited restraining order against the property of the Gupta owned company that was opened in South Africa.”
Seboka said this order applies to all assets in South Africa as well as Sharma’s company properties abroad.
She said: “The freezing order, granted in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act (Poca), will be served on Iqbal Sharma at the Bloemfontein Bainsvlei SAPS holding cells, while Islandsite (belonging to the Gupta family) will be served at its local business address.”
The seizing of the Gupta assets follows criminal charges in the high court for fraud and money laundering offences against the family with the fraudulent amount adding up to approximately R25 million.
The value of the properties seized exceeded over R45 million with their house in Constantia, Cape Town valued at R21 million and featured on South Africa’s lifestyle programme, Top Billing.
Image source: @TimeMagazine
