US Concerns Over Iranian Funding of Gupta Brothers Got Them in Trouble

JOHANNESBURG – The United States had raised concerns with South African authorities that the controversial Gupta family were getting funds from Iran to buy the Shiva Uranium Mine in this country, according to the final report on an extensive judicial investigation into corruption which was handed over to President Cyril Ramaphosa by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on June 29.

The Commission handed over finding after a four-year investigation in which the three Gupta brothers – Ajay, Atul and Rajesh – featured prominently about their alleged looting of billions of rands from state enterprises. Atul and Rajesh are now believed to be in custody in Dubai, awaiting the finalization of an extradition request by South Africa.

The entire Gupta family, originally from Saharanpur in India, fled the country when the net closed in on them as pressure mounted on Zuma, who was eventually ousted by his own African National Congress that had appointed him to a second term.

“As to what initially sparked interest in the Guptas, Ambassador Maqetuka confirms the evidence by Mr. Shaik and Mr. Njenje that it arose because the Americans had raised the concern that the Guptas were getting funds from Iran to buy the Shiva Uranium Mine.”