The arrest of Gupta brothers Atul and Rajesh is the single largest state capture development since former public protector Thuli Madonsela first investigated the family’s vast patronage network and the commencement of the Zondo Commission.
That is the assertion of Pieter du Toit, who writes that the national prosecuting authority (NPA) and the department of justice should feel emboldened and do everything in its power to make sure the brothers, who were arrested in Dubai, make their way back to South Africa.
Du Toit re-details just how the Gupta family entrenched themselves in South African politics by befriending Jacob Zuma before being able to leverage his position for their own gain.
Du Toit writes the NPA has made good strides recently, arresting those that hollowed out Transnet and collapsed the parastatal at the behest of the Guptas and Andrea Johnson, head of the NPA’s Investigative Directorate seems to be cracking the whip from within her department.
But he concludes that the NPA must not drop the ball now and must finish the job by putting the Gupta brothers behind bars.
Sam Mkokeli, rather humorously, likens the news of the Gupta arrests to that of the announcement back in 2004 that South Africa would host the 2010 soccer world cup.
While it is a moment for celebration writes Mkokeli, just as the announcement that we had won the right to host soccer’s showpiece tournament was a moment for celebration, we must go on to win the cup.
“…if our prosecutors are finally able to put together the pieces of the state capture puzzle in a way that ensures the conviction of the brothers and their lieutenants, even if that takes years, it will feel as if we’d won the cup after all.”
Here’s a round-up of what we’re reading:
If Ramaphosa is forced to step aside, he will not be the biggest loser – The Citizen (for subscribers)
Ramaphosa must not try to cover up claims – The Citizen (for subscribers)
Hawks take over Ramaphosa forex heist case from President’s Praetorian Guard – Daily Maverick
EUSEBIUS MCKAISER | Dear President Cyril Ramaphosa — time is running out – Sunday Times Daily (for subscribers)
TOM EATON: That mysterious missing money is enough to make a buffalo wink – Business Day (for subscribers)
Carol Paton | Ramaphosa’s fatal misstep: Cash cannot be king when you’re president – Fin24 (for subscribers)
Ralph Mathekga | Ramaphosa farm theft: Transparency only important when it suits the president – News24 (for subscribers)
Image: Atul Gupta. (Photo by Gallo Images/Financial Mail/Robert Tshabalala)
