Close X
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
ADVT 
International

South Africa To Investigate Indian Gupta Family's Citizenship

Darpan News Desk IANS, 28 Mar, 2018 11:38 AM
    South African Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs said on Tuesday it will institute a full-scale inquiry into the Indian Gupta family's citizenship.
     
     
    Terms of reference for an inquiry will be drawn up once all information has been gathered from the Home Affairs Department and Parliament, said Acting Committee Chairperson Donald Gumede, Xinhua reported.
     
     
    "The decision really is to collect all information to decide whether we need a full investigative inquiry or not. In principle, we are not against it," Gumede said.
     
     
    This decision drew immediate applause from the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA).
     
     
    The DA had requested that the committee launch an investigation into the controversy surrounding the naturalization of the Gupta family, which is accused of collaborating with former president Jacob Zuma and some senior government officials in looting from the state coffers, known as state capture.
     
     
    South African police have launched a manhunt for some of the Gupta family members, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
     
     
    The DA reveals that more Gupta family members have been granted South African citizenship than previously known.
     
     
    This information was never revealed or reported to Parliament, as is required by law, the DA said.
     
     
    Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba and his department only explained the circumstances surrounding the naturalization of five Gupta family members granted South African citizenship and registered as voters on the Independent Electoral Committee database, according to the DA.
     
     
     
     
    The DA will ensure that Gigaba and the Guptas have no opportunity to dodge accounting to Parliament, said Haniff Hoosen, DA Shadow Minister of Home Affairs.
     
     
    "We look forward to this inquiry and ensure that those found guilty of any corruption will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," Hoosen said.
     
     
    Also on Tuesday, Gigaba refused to take the responsibility for granting citizenship to the Gupta family members.
     
     
    He told MPs that former ministers of his portfolio should also go to Parliament to account for the naturalization of the Guptas.
     
     
    The Guptas entered South Africa in the early 1990s, therefore the ministers of home affairs at that time should be called here to answer what were the reasons provided to grant them citizenship, Gigaba said.
     
     
    The Guptas were naturalized between 2002 and 2006.
     
     
    The ministers of home affairs at that time must come and answer questions about what were the conditions at the time, said Gigaba.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    U.S. Legislation On White-Supremacist Terror Cites Quebec City Mosque Shooting

    U.S. Legislation On White-Supremacist Terror Cites Quebec City Mosque Shooting
    WASHINGTON — Legislation in the United States Congress aimed at countering white-supremacist violence cites the killings in a Quebec City mosque as one of several cautionary examples of the threat of domestic terrorism.

    U.S. Legislation On White-Supremacist Terror Cites Quebec City Mosque Shooting

    Ramanjit Singh Romi 'Sought' Rs 50 Lakh From Cops For Tip-Off On Vicky Gounder

    Ramanjit Singh Romi 'Sought' Rs 50 Lakh From Cops For Tip-Off On Vicky Gounder
    “The deal was almost through, but fell flat after he demanded more than Rs 50 lakh,” a senior police official said. Officially, the state police deny the reports of such a deal.

    Ramanjit Singh Romi 'Sought' Rs 50 Lakh From Cops For Tip-Off On Vicky Gounder

    Sridevi Was Murdered, Alleges Subramanian Swamy

    Sridevi Was Murdered, Alleges Subramanian Swamy
      BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Tuesday said veteran actress Sridevi was murdered, even as the forensic report rules out any kind of foul play in her death.

    Sridevi Was Murdered, Alleges Subramanian Swamy

    Donald Trump Calls Pm Modi 'A Beautiful Man', Then Mimics Him

    Donald Trump Calls Pm Modi 'A Beautiful Man', Then Mimics Him
    Miffed with the high import duty imposed by India on the Harley-Davidson motorbikes, United States President Donald Trump yet again imitated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sans the Indian accent, this time.

    Donald Trump Calls Pm Modi 'A Beautiful Man', Then Mimics Him

    Indian-Origin 'Chicken King' Ranjit Singh Boparan, Hit By Scandal, May Exit Fish Business

    Indian-Origin 'Chicken King' Ranjit Singh Boparan, Hit By Scandal, May Exit Fish Business
    The 2 Sisters Food Group, owned by Ranjit Singh Boparan, is believed to be working with corporate finance advisers from Clearwater International on a possible disposal of the business

    Indian-Origin 'Chicken King' Ranjit Singh Boparan, Hit By Scandal, May Exit Fish Business

    Acadia University Launches Investigation Of Controversial Professor Rick Mehta

    Acadia University has launched a formal investigation into complaints against a professor over controversial comments he made on social media and in the classroom.

    Acadia University Launches Investigation Of Controversial Professor Rick Mehta