South Africa confirms arrest of two Gupta brothers in Dubai

The arrests come almost a year after Interpol issued a red notice last July

The South African government has announced that the UAE has arrested Rajesh Gupta and Atul Gupta, the two of the three wealthy India-born brothers of the Gupta family, who were at the centre of political corruption under former president Jacob Zuma.

The two brothers were arrested in Dubai, and it remains unclear why the third brother -- Ajay -- was not arrested.

The arrests, almost a year after Interpol issued a red notice last July, came as an investigation was concluded into the massive plundering of state institutions during former president Zuma’s era.

The Gupta brothers are accused in South Africa of using their relationship with former president Zuma to profit financially and influence senior appointments, charges that they have vehemently denied.

In 2018, the Gupta family went into self-exile in Dubai after looting billions of rands from parastatal institutions in South Africa, authorities said.

“The ministry of justice and correctional services confirms that it has received information from law enforcement authorities in the UAE that fugitives of justice, namely Rajesh and Atul Gupta have been arrested,” the South African Department of Justice and Correctional Services said in a statement on Monday.

“Discussions between various law enforcement agencies in the UAE and South Africa on the way forward are ongoing. The South African government will continue to co-operate with the UAE,” it added.