DA: “Guptas Can Collect New Passports after Appearing Before Zondo Commission”

The “arrogance” of the Gupta family, who have been implicated in ‘state capture’ in South Africa, “has no bounds”, says the Democratic Alliance (DA)… as the family has applied to have their South Africans passports renewed while living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The Guptas fled South Africa in February 2018 as evidence of their alleged involvement in the ANC’s state capture continued to mount.

On Friday, Joe McGluwa – DA Shadow Minister of Home Affairs – said that “nonetheless, collecting their new passports in Pretoria is the perfect opportunity for members of the Gupta family to return to South Africa and appear before the Zondo Commission to answer to the allegations levelled against them for their involvement in the ANC’s state capture project.”

McGluwa said that Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsaledi’s decision to place the new passports in a safe in Pretoria does not inspire confidence.

“He must tell us on what legal basis is he withholding the passports,” said McGluwa in a press statement on Friday. “The law should be followed in this matter. We are all well aware that his predecessor, Minister Malusi Gigaba, irregularly, if not illegally, fast-tracked the naturalisation of members of the Gupta family.

“However, this is but one allegation that can be ironed out before the Zondo Commission.”

McGluwa says the DA will submit written questions to Minister Motsoaledi, when Parliament reconvenes in the new year, to provide South Africans with a clear explanation of his decision to withhold the passports.