South Africa's highest judicial body, the Constitutional Court, last week found President Jacob Zuma guilty of financial misconduct. Opposition parties filed an impeachment motion against Zuma following the verdict, but protests against Zuma have been mounting since last year, mainly due to allegations that he favored the Gupta family, a wealthy family of Indian descent. was. The scandal soon became known as “Guptagate.” Atul Gupta, one of the three Gupta brothers, speaks. Uday Rana About the controversy, the journey from India to South Africa, and their ancestral town of Saharanpur:
In 1993, your family headed to South Africa for the first time. What made you go to that country?
In 1993, I was sent to South Africa by my father Shiv Kumar Gupta. Gupta used to say, “Africa will be the America of the world.'' At this time, we moved to South Africa and fell in love with this country and its beautiful people.
Has South Africa welcomed immigrant families who want to make their mark?
We received a lot of love and friendship among the people of South Africa and found the business environment conducive to growth and expansion.
It is claimed that your closeness with South African President Jacob Zuma, who is in his seventh year in office, is behind your rise in South Africa.
Our success is due to a management philosophy that permeates the entire group's operations. We are long-term investors with a track record of converting loss-making businesses into profitable growth businesses. Investments do not necessarily provide immediate opportunities for growth or profit, but rather are perceived as long-term commitments. It is correct that we know President Zuma personally. However, we have never derived commercial benefit from this relationship. In fact, less than 1% of our group's revenue comes from government operations.
The economic freedom fighters (EFF), the opposition party leading the protests, coined the slogan “Zupta must fall”. You are an obvious target. Do you feel threatened?
The Gupta family has been caught in the political crossfire as political parties campaign for the upcoming municipal elections. However, we remain resilient and remain focused on growing our business.
EFF leader Julius Malema has claimed that Mr Zuma colluded with you to “dump” R6 million in the UAE. Is there any truth to these suspicions?
There is no truth to this claim. These false allegations are outlandish, ridiculous, and nothing more than a politically motivated campaign against us.
Have you ever wanted to return to India after seeing the protests against you?
We are proud South Africans and some of our children were born in South Africa. All of our business was born in South Africa. The company has invested more than R10 billion in South Africa and employs more than 4,500 people. We have no intention of leaving South Africa. We love this country and this is our home. We believe that sooner or later people will understand the anti-competitive political campaign being waged against us that is aimed at marginalizing our business. We have no intention of leaving South Africa.
Is it true that you have so much influence within government that you offer ministerial posts to politicians? Former ANC MP Vitsie Menter said that in 2010 you offered her the position of Minister of Public Enterprises. He claimed to have been offered the post. Deputy Finance Minister Maksevisi Jonas made similar claims.
Any suggestion that the Gupta family or any of our representatives or associates offered anyone a job in the government is completely false. We call on Minister Jonas and Vitier Mentor to provide a full explanation of the meeting that allegedly took place under oath in court. We focus on business, not politics.
In 2013, a plane carrying 217 guests for your niece's wedding was allegedly allowed to land at a military base. You are said to have used your influence to land the plane.
In August 2013, the Indian High Commission asked the South African government for permission to land a large privately chartered aircraft at Waterkloof Air Force Base. The request to land at Waterkloof was made because the plane was carrying Indian ministers, senior political and government officials. Safety was one of the top priorities of the Indian government. Although permission to land was granted, the family subsequently noted and expressed understanding of the South African public's reaction to the events at Waterkloof. The family formally apologized for any offense caused.
One of the president's wives, Bongi Nguema Zuma, and her daughter Duduzile are said to be employees of your company. His son Duduzane is said to be a “very close friend” of your brother Rajesh as well as a director of several of your companies. Isn't this a conflict of interest?
The president's wife, Ms. Bongi Ngema-Zuma, previously worked at one of our group companies. His daughter Duduzil also served as director for a short time. It is right that Dudzane is now a partner in some of our businesses. We have maintained that these appointments were made on the merits of the candidates and that no favors were availed of through these associations. They have the same right to employment as other South African citizens and we will not make any exceptions to their employment.
International broadcaster Al Jazeera claimed there was a quid pro quo relationship between you and Zuma. They claimed that your news outlets, New Age and ANN7, were giving favorable coverage to him.
The family highlights the many good things about this country, recognizing that there are gaps in media coverage in this country, that the glass is half full rather than half empty, and that there is space for different voices to be heard. and gave constructive criticism about all the wrong things going on in this country. That is the vision of both TNA and ANN7 media companies. Our journalists are independent and free to report the news as they see fit. As shareholders in news organizations, we pursue a strict policy of non-interference in editorial decisions.
Despite the growing protests in South Africa, your supporters in your hometown of Saharanpur do not believe you have done anything wrong. How important is the support of people back home to you?
It's always good to receive love and support from where you come from and we are very grateful as well. It gives us the strength to move forward based on the ethics and values instilled in us by our parents.
A family of Indian descent is allegedly embroiled in a huge controversy in South Africa, has the Indian government contacted you or taken any stance on this issue?
We have not received any communication from the Indian government in this regard.
In 1993, your family headed to South Africa for the first time. What made you go to that country?
In 1993, I was sent to South Africa by my father Shiv Kumar Gupta. Gupta used to say, “Africa will be the America of the world.'' At this time, we moved to South Africa and fell in love with this country and its beautiful people.
Has South Africa welcomed immigrant families who want to make their mark?
We received a lot of love and friendship among the people of South Africa and found the business environment conducive to growth and expansion.
It is claimed that your closeness with South African President Jacob Zuma, who is in his seventh year in office, is behind your rise in South Africa.
Our success is due to a management philosophy that permeates the entire group's operations. We are long-term investors with a track record of converting loss-making businesses into profitable growth businesses. Investments do not necessarily provide immediate opportunities for growth or profit, but rather are perceived as long-term commitments. It is correct that we know President Zuma personally. However, we have never derived commercial benefit from this relationship. In fact, less than 1% of our group's revenue comes from government operations.
Expanding
The Gupta family has been caught in the political crossfire as political parties campaign for the upcoming municipal elections. However, we remain resilient and remain focused on growing our business.
EFF leader Julius Malema has claimed that Mr Zuma colluded with you to “dump” R6 million in the UAE. Is there any truth to these suspicions?
There is no truth to this claim. These false allegations are outlandish, ridiculous, and nothing more than a politically motivated campaign against us.
Have you ever wanted to return to India after seeing the protests against you?
We are proud South Africans and some of our children were born in South Africa. All of our business was born in South Africa. The company has invested more than R10 billion in South Africa and employs more than 4,500 people. We have no intention of leaving South Africa. We love this country and this is our home. We believe that sooner or later people will understand the anti-competitive political campaign being waged against us that is aimed at marginalizing our business. We have no intention of leaving South Africa.
Is it true that you have so much influence within government that you offer ministerial posts to politicians? Former ANC MP Vitsie Menter said that in 2010 you offered her the position of Minister of Public Enterprises. He claimed to have been offered the post. Deputy Finance Minister Maksevisi Jonas made similar claims.
Any suggestion that the Gupta family or any of our representatives or associates offered anyone a job in the government is completely false. We call on Minister Jonas and Vitier Mentor to provide a full explanation of the meeting that allegedly took place under oath in court. We focus on business, not politics.
In 2013, a plane carrying 217 guests for your niece's wedding was allegedly allowed to land at a military base. You are said to have used your influence to land the plane.
In August 2013, the Indian High Commission asked the South African government for permission to land a large privately chartered aircraft at Waterkloof Air Force Base. The request to land at Waterkloof was made because the plane was carrying Indian ministers, senior political and government officials. Safety was one of the top priorities of the Indian government. Although permission to land was granted, the family subsequently noted and expressed understanding of the South African public's reaction to the events at Waterkloof. The family formally apologized for any offense caused.
One of the president's wives, Bongi Nguema Zuma, and her daughter Duduzile are said to be employees of your company. His son Duduzane is said to be a “very close friend” of your brother Rajesh as well as a director of several of your companies. Isn't this a conflict of interest?
The president's wife, Ms. Bongi Ngema-Zuma, previously worked at one of our group companies. His daughter Duduzil also served as director for a short time. It is right that Dudzane is now a partner in some of our businesses. We have maintained that these appointments were made on the merits of the candidates and that no favors were availed of through these associations. They have the same right to employment as other South African citizens and we will not make any exceptions to their employment.
International broadcaster Al Jazeera claimed there was a quid pro quo relationship between you and Zuma. They claimed that your news outlets, New Age and ANN7, were giving favorable coverage to him.
The family highlights the many good things about this country, recognizing that there are gaps in media coverage in this country, that the glass is half full rather than half empty, and that there is space for different voices to be heard. and gave constructive criticism about all the wrong things going on in this country. That is the vision of both TNA and ANN7 media companies. Our journalists are independent and free to report the news as they see fit. As shareholders in news organizations, we pursue a strict policy of non-interference in editorial decisions.
Despite the growing protests in South Africa, your supporters in your hometown of Saharanpur do not believe you have done anything wrong. How important is the support of people back home to you?
It's always good to receive love and support from where you come from and we are very grateful as well. It gives us the strength to move forward based on the ethics and values instilled in us by our parents.
A family of Indian descent is allegedly embroiled in a huge controversy in South Africa, has the Indian government contacted you or taken any stance on this issue?
We have not received any communication from the Indian government in this regard.
