Kathrada Foundation Urges Government & UAE to Extradite Guptas Back to South Africa
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation has urged the South African government and the United Arab Emirates to act on an extradition treaty signed on 9 July 2021 and bring the Gupta’s back to South Africa to account for their alleged corrupt activities and involvement in state capture.
The foundation with local and international organisations and activists is spearheading a campaign to get the Gupta’s back in the country.
The Gupta family together with its business associates has been accused of unduly benefiting from state coffers and influencing tender procurement processes in government to the tune of close of R 50 billion during the tenure of former president Jacob Zuma.
The Gupta family fled South Africa and is presumed to be living in Dubai.
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation’s chairperson Derek Hanekom said that international pressure is crucial in achieving the foundation’s goal.
“We need action taken. So, the extradition agreement is one step towards that action. International pressure is important.It’s really a travesty of justice that this grand corruption was really felt by the poor people in our society more than anyone else. And the perpetrators of this type of corruption are walking freely in another country in the world.”
The Kathrada Foundation said the campaign will be one of the many responses to the Zondo Commision of Inquiry report which should serve as key guidelines on the programme of work and action needed to eradicate state capture in South Africa.
