Zuma Faces Backlash After Meeting Gupta Brother in India, Signals Political Return

Former South African President Jacob Zuma has come under intense criticism after meeting fugitive businessman Ajay Gupta in India and announcing plans to seek public office again, reigniting debate over corruption and political accountability.

The meeting has sparked outrage within the South African government, with senior officials describing the encounter as deeply troubling due to Gupta’s alleged involvement in the country’s state capture scandal.

Cabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni condemned Zuma’s actions, saying the meeting was disrespectful to South Africans who continue to deal with the lasting effects of corruption linked to the Gupta family. She argued that the former president’s decision to publicly embrace Gupta undermined efforts to restore trust in public institutions.

The meeting took place in Haridwar, India, where Zuma was photographed alongside Ajay Gupta at a temple. In a video shared after the visit, Zuma referred to Gupta as his “brother and friend,” a statement that quickly drew widespread criticism.

The South African government has since launched an inquiry into the visit. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola accused Zuma of pursuing what he described as a “parallel foreign policy,” raising concerns about the nature and purpose of the trip.

Officials have also questioned why South Africa’s High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, accompanied Zuma during the visit, adding another layer to the government’s investigation.

During the same video, the 84-year-old former president declared his intention to return to active politics.

“I decided to take a decision to retake the country forward,” Zuma said. “I am contesting.”

Zuma served as South Africa’s president from 2009 until his resignation in 2018 amid mounting political pressure and corruption allegations. He currently leads the opposition Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party, which has emerged as a significant political force since its formation.

The Gupta family remains one of the most controversial names in South African politics. Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta built a powerful business empire before fleeing the country as investigations into alleged corruption and state capture intensified.

A landmark anti-corruption report released in 2016 accused the family of influencing cabinet appointments, bribing public officials and benefiting financially from state contracts during Zuma’s presidency. The allegations became central to South Africa’s state capture investigations.

Ajay Gupta was declared a fugitive in 2018, although criminal charges against him were later withdrawn. His brothers, Atul and Rajesh Gupta, remain in the United Arab Emirates after an extradition request from South Africa was rejected by a UAE court in 2023.

The controversy comes as South Africa prepares for local government elections later this year, while political parties are already positioning themselves ahead of the country’s next presidential election in 2029.

Zuma’s latest remarks and his continued association with the Gupta family are expected to keep corruption, governance and accountability at the centre of South Africa’s political debate in the years ahead.