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AfriForum requested urgent feedback and clarity from Andy Mothibi, National Director for Public Prosecutions (NDPP), regarding the current status of efforts to extradite members of the Gupta family to South Africa to face prosecution for their alleged involvement in corruption, fraud, money laundering and state capture-related offences.

According to AfriForum, the Gupta matter remains one of the most damaging corruption scandals in the country’s democratic history and has severely eroded public trust in state institutions and the criminal justice system.

“As an organisation representing more than 300 000 members across the country, AfriForum believes that the public deserves transparency regarding what is being done to ensure accountability in one of the country’s biggest state capture scandals,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety.

AfriForum has requested clarity on:

• the current legal and diplomatic status of extradition efforts;
• whether renewed extradition applications or negotiations are underway;
• what obstacles continue to hinder the process;
• whether alternative legal avenues are being considered; and
• the extent of cooperation between South African authorities and international law enforcement agencies.

Broodryk says it is unacceptable that years after the exposure of state capture allegations, many citizens still have no clear indication of whether meaningful progress is being made to bring the Gupta family before a South African court.

“The continued delays and lack of public clarity create the perception that politically connected individuals can evade accountability indefinitely. That perception is extremely damaging to public confidence in the rule of law,” says Broodryk.

AfriForum further emphasised that equality before the law must apply consistently, regardless of political influence or financial power.

“If ordinary citizens are expected to face the consequences of alleged criminal conduct, the same standard must apply to individuals implicated in large-scale corruption and state capture. No one should be untouchable,” Broodryk adds.

AfriForum indicates that it expects a formal response from the National Prosecuting Authority and will continue monitoring the matter closely.

Issued by AfriForum