Former President Jacob Zuma’s India trip has continued to ignite political divisions in South Africa, with Deputy President Paul Mashatile coming to Zuma's defence.
The recent private visit of former President Jacob Zuma to India has reignited a fierce debate within South African political circles, prompting contrasting reactions from key government figures.
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, did not hold back in her criticism of Zuma’s trip, expressing concerns that it undermines both South Africa’s criminal justice system and its foreign policy.
Speaking during a media briefing on Friday, Ntshavheni also raised concerns over South Africa’s efforts to secure mutual legal assistance to bring the fugitive Gupta brothers back to the country, saying the government expected its officials abroad to act in line with the law rather than assist those facing criminal charges.
The minister said it was unacceptable that a government representative was allegedly acting in a manner that compromised efforts to return fugitives to South Africa to face justice.
