Johannesburg: The South African government has said that fugitive Indian-origin businessmen Rajesh and Atul Gupta are still its citizens and using the country’s passports. The statement comes amid reports that the Gupta brothers have taken citizenship of the island nation of Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean. South Africa said last week that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had turned down its request to extradite the brothers to face trial on charges of fraud and corruption.
The three Gupta brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh are wanted in South Africa for their alleged role in defrauding state enterprises of billions of rands. It is alleged that he took advantage of his proximity to former President Jacob Zuma to commit fraud. The Gupta family came under the radar of law enforcement agencies after Zuma was expelled from the African National Congress, after which they fled to Dubai five years ago.
Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said, ‘I cannot tell when and where the Gupta brothers are using South African passports. Our movement tracking system does not show where South African passport holders have gone. Have become. Motsoaledi said the Gupta brothers obtained their passports from a corrupt Home Affairs official, but the department has no plans to revoke their passports or citizenship, as this would render their extradition request to the UAE meaningless.
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