NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — Former South African President Jacob Zuma has sparked fresh political controversy after photos showed him meeting businessman Ajay Gupta at a temple in India. The meeting has drawn sharp criticism from South African leaders because the Gupta family remains linked to one of the country’s biggest corruption scandals.
The images surfaced in Indian media this week and quickly fueled public debate in South Africa. Many people questioned why Zuma chose to meet Gupta, whose family has faced years of scrutiny over allegations of corruption and influence during Zuma’s presidency.
Cabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni strongly criticized the meeting during a news briefing on Friday. She said Zuma had shown disrespect to South Africans who suffered financial losses during the alleged “state capture” era. She added that the former president appeared to ignore the public’s concerns by meeting one of the businessmen at the center of the scandal.
The Gupta brothers became widely known in South Africa about a decade ago. Authorities and investigators accused them of using their close relationship with Zuma to influence government decisions and secure financial benefits. The allegations became part of a broader corruption scandal that shook the country and damaged trust in public institutions.
However, Zuma and the Gupta family have consistently denied any wrongdoing. Even so, the controversy remained a major issue throughout Zuma’s presidency and continued after he left office.
The Gupta family departed South Africa in 2018 after a judicial commission launched an investigation into allegations of large-scale fraud and political influence. The inquiry examined claims that private interests had gained significant control over key government decisions during Zuma’s time in office.
Later, South African authorities canceled an arrest warrant for Ajay Gupta. Meanwhile, his younger brothers, Atul Gupta and Rajesh Gupta, relocated to the United Arab Emirates. South Africa later sought their extradition, but a UAE court rejected that request in 2023. As a result, the legal process reached another setback for South African authorities.
The latest meeting between Zuma and Ajay Gupta has now created another political storm. Ntshavheni said the meeting sent the wrong message to citizens who continue to demand accountability for corruption. She also criticized Zuma’s reported statement that he plans to contest South Africa’s next national election.
According to Ntshavheni, the 84-year-old politician continues to seek public office despite years of controversy surrounding his presidency. She argued that his actions have angered many South Africans who still expect justice in cases connected to state capture.
The minister also expressed concern over reports that South Africa’s High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, accompanied Zuma during the temple visit. She described that development as a disgrace and questioned why a senior diplomat appeared alongside the former president during the meeting.
Soon afterward, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola announced that South Africa would investigate the circumstances surrounding the meeting. He said officials would examine the role of those involved and determine whether diplomatic protocols had been followed.
Lamola also suggested that Zuma appeared to be pursuing what he described as a parallel foreign policy. His comments reflected growing concern within the government over the former president’s international engagements while leading a political party outside the governing coalition.
Zuma now heads the uMkhonto weSizwe, or MK, party after breaking away from the African National Congress, the party that led South Africa for decades. Although he no longer belongs to the ANC, he remains one of the country’s most influential political figures. Therefore, his actions continue to attract widespread attention both inside and outside South Africa.
