President Jacob Zuma, right, pictured in India with Ajay Gupta, second from left, spiritual leaders and Professor Anil Sooklal, the High Commissioner of South Africa to India, fourth from left.
Former President Jacob Zuma's recent trip to India has ignited a heated debate among South African politicians, revealing stark divisions in government reactions.
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, did not hold back in her criticism of Zuma’s trip, expressing concerns that it undermined 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.
