Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola told parliament that the Gupta brothers were indeed behind bars and were denied bail multiple times.
Responding to a set of questions in parliament on Wednesday, Lamola disclosed information about the Gupta brothers still being behind bars and that the extradition process is still on track.
“We have received a note verbale which is a formal confirmation by the UAE government authorities that the two Gupta brothers are in their cells.
“They’ve also informed us that they’ve attempted on several occasions to apply for bail and their bail was denied,” Lamola said.
He also said their extradition from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had not been delayed and was well within the extradition treaty time frame.
“At this stage, the extradition proceedings is still ongoing in the UAE and, therefore, sub-judice. The Department of Justice is engaging with the authorities in the UAE on an ongoing basis,” he said.
Atul and Rajesh Gupta were arrested in Dubai three months ago on 3 June, after Interpol received a red notice for their arrest. On Monday July 25, Lamola stated that a request for the Gupta brothers’ extradition was issued to the UAE authorities by the National Director of Public Prosecution (NDPP).
The Guptas are considered central figures in state capture, having used their proximity to former president Jacob Zuma to loot state funds. The family fled the country in 2018 shortly after Zuma left office.
The brothers have been charged in the R24.9 million Nulane Investment case in the Free State, which will go on trial from 23 January 2023 until 3 March 2023.
They have also been charged in connection with the Estina Dairy project case.
Source: Eyewitness News, The Citizen, The South African, Briefly, image from Twitter