GOOD statement by Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
06 June 2022
The announcement by South Africa’s Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services that fugitives of justice and Zuma cronies, Rajesh and Atul Gupta, have been arrested in the United Arab Emirates is an important opportunity for our National Prosecuting Authority to restore the faith of South Africans in our criminal justice system.
The announcement implies that the arrests were pursuant to an Interpol Red Notice. A Red Notice is a request for the arrest of persons, wanted by an Interpol member, with the intention of extraditing them to face criminal prosecution.
The fact that it was the Justice Department making the announcement implies the arrests are connected to our widely-known interests.
If this is so, the arrests will allow the South African authorities to commence an application for the notorious brothers’ extradition to stand trial.
This would constitute a major breakthrough in the fight against state capture and corruption We urge the National Prosecuting Authority to demonstrate both the skills and the desire to see the Guptas stand trial for the myriad of crimes they are alleged to have committed.
Some may find it tempting to link the timing of the criminal complaint lodged against President Cyril Ramaphosa last week with the announcement of these arrests.
We must guard against our criminal justice system falling prey to political and/or factional duelling. The National Prosecuting Authority must demonstrate that it pursues criminal justice regardless of politics, and our police services must do likewise.
We hope a speedy extradition process follows.
Media Enquiries:
Brett Herron, GOOD: Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
Cell: 0825183264
Email: bretth@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD: Media Manager
Cell: 0733671223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za