THE Guptas continue to manipulate government sectors.
That was the conclusion of legal experts, instructed by Home Affairs to provide their opinion on how to challenge the family’s Mzansi citizenship.
Advocate Nazeer Cassim, who compiled the legal opinion along with two junior counsel, raised questions about the Gupta influence.
He said their opinion seemed correct, as the arrest warrant for Ajay Gupta was still not available.
This was despite the document being handed to Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba in May, in which it was recommended he take court action to challenge their citizenship.
The minister has failed to institute any legal proceedings.
Last week, testifying before the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs’ inquiry into the naturalisation of the Guptas, Gigaba denied any wrongdoing in granting them citizenship.
He told the hearing he took it on good faith that department officials had verified the Guptas’ economic contribution to the country, but insufficient diligence was done.
Cassim and his colleagues decided Ajay Gupta was a prohibited person and did not qualify for permanent residence.
A warrant of arrest is out for him in relation to the Vrede Dairy Project case.
He has a permanent residence permit and not South African citizenship.
Cassim recommended that if Ajay Gupta tried to enter the country, he should be detained.
Gigaba’s spokesman, Thabo Mokgola, said the minister met Justice Minister Michael Masutha and Police Minister Bheki Cele and they decided Home Affairs should allow the criminal investigation to be finalised.
They said any action by Gigaba at this stage may disrupt the investigation. – NEWS24
