Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni on July 3 briefed media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held earlier this week, noting that former President Jacob Zuma’s actions on a visit to India were a “middle finger” to South Africans.
Ntshavheni was questioned on Cabinet’s response to widely circulated images which showed Zuma and South Africa's High Commissioner to India Anil Sooklal cavorting with one of the Gupta brothers in the country.
Given that the Gupta family was implicated in South Africa’s State capture and that the government had applied for mutual assistance to bring them back to face the consequences of their criminal acts, Ntshavheni decried the fact Sooklal, as a representative of the government, was associating with known fugitives instead of assisting with repatriation, especially while on a taxpayer salary.
She informed that International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola had requested a report from the official, and that “drastic” steps would be taken to ensure that South Africa’s laws were not undermined.
Regarding Zuma, Ntshavheni said that while travel privileges were extended to former State Presidents, government does have the discretion to refuse if this is being abused.
