The DA has called on International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola to launch an urgent departmental inquiry into whether South Africa’s High Commissioner to India Anil Sooklal received official written instructions meet with with former President Jacob Zuma and fugitive businessman Ajay Gupta in India.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni openly reprimanded Sooklal for hosting the pair, however, the narrative shifted during a subsequent parliamentary portfolio committee meeting, where data emerged suggesting Sooklal acted under direct written orders from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco).

DA Spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation Ryan Smith, questioned the contradiction and said his party views the incident as a severe breach of diplomatic protocol and a sign of institutional capture within South Africa’s foreign service.

The DA maintains that if Dirco issued instructions to formally receive a “corruption-accused fugitive” alongside the former president, it represents a “subversion of South African foreign policy”.

The party wants Lamola to investigate the origin of the alleged written instructions and if Sooklal acted without permission, calling for immediate disciplinary action against him if he did.

The DA asserted that if Lamola or top department officials authorised the reception, they must be removed from their posts.

The DA is submitting a targeted batch of written parliamentary questions to Lamola.

The party emphasises that State resources and foreign missions must not be used to accommodate individuals linked to State capture, and further argued that allowing such diplomatic engagements compromises South Africa's commitment to the rule of law on the international stage.