Key Takeaways
- South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has ordered an internal probe into why High Commissioner Anil Sooklal appeared alongside former President Jacob Zuma and Gupta‑family businessman Ajay Gupta at a Hindu temple event in Haridwar, India.
- The Democratic Alliance (DA) condemned the encounter, submitting parliamentary questions and demanding accountability, while the ANC’s Secretary‑General Fikile Mbalula criticised Zuma called the meeting a betrayal of law‑enforcement efforts.
- A Dirco source claimed Sooklal was merely following protocol to extend courtesies to a former head of state and was unaware Gupta would attend, insisting the picture was staged at Zuma’s request.
- Despite widespread allegations linking Ajay Gupta to state‑capture schemes, no South African arrest warrant exists for him; the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) notes his low‑profile role and reliance on his brothers to conduct business.
- The NPA has pursued extradition of Gupta brothers Atul and Rajesh from the UAE, facing legal setbacks, while the Nulane‑Investment corruption case linked to the Guptas has been re‑opened after a successful appeal.
- The Zondo Commission did not single out Ajay Gupta for prosecution but recommended action against “members of” the Gupta family for their complicity in the Vrede Dairy and Optimum Coal scandals, estimating the family diverted at least R15 billion of state funds.
- During the Haridwar visit, Zuma described Gupta as his “brother and friend,” claimed divine support for his political comeback, and sparked speculation that the trip was linked to fundraising for legal fees or electoral ambitions.
- Political commentators and the MK party have downplayed the incident, arguing that Zuma, as a private citizen, is free to travel and that his attendance at the annual temple event is longstanding.
Background of the Incident
On 26 June 2026, photographs circulated in Indian media showing South Africa’s High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, standing beside former President Jacob Zuma and Gupta‑family figure Ajay Gupta at a prayer meeting held at the Sidipeeth Shri Dakshin Kali Temple in Haridwar. The images, which also featured Swami Kailashanand Giri, prompted immediate scrutiny from South African opposition parties and civil society observers. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola confirmed on 2 July 2026 that his department had launched an internal investigation to determine why Sooklal participated in the event and whether any diplomatic protocols were breached.
Democratic Alliance’s Reaction
The DA’s international‑relations spokesperson, Ryan Smith, announced that he had submitted parliamentary questions to Lamola seeking clarity on Sooklal’s actions. Smith criticised the High Commissioner for “rolling out the red carpet” for Zuma and Gupta, asserting that the encounter undermined South Africa’s efforts to hold the Gupta family accountable for alleged state‑capture crimes. The DA called on Lamola to disclose any disciplinary measures that would be imposed on Sooklal, emphasizing that such conduct erodes public trust in the country’s diplomatic corps.
ANC Secretary‑General’s Response
ANC Secretary‑General Fikile Mbalula took to Facebook to denounce the meeting, describing Zuma’s engagement with the Guptas as “spitting in the face of our law‑enforcement agencies.” Mbalula argued that instead of consorting with fugitives, Zuma should be cooperating with authorities to locate the Gupta brothers, who remain fugitives facing charges related to the R25‑million Nulane‑Investment contract and broader state‑capture allegations. His statement reflected the ruling party’s frustration with perceived impunity surrounding the Gupta network.
Dirco Source’s Defence of Sooklal
An anonymous Dirco official defended Sooklal, stating that the High Commissioner was merely following instructions from department headquarters to extend the customary courtesies accorded to a former head of state on a private visit. The source insisted that Sooklal had no prior knowledge that Ajay Gupta would be present at the temple gathering and that the photograph resulted from a request by Zuma to include Gupta in a group shot. According to the insider, Sooklal had been independently invited to the prayer meeting by Swami Giri weeks earlier and only learned of Zuma’s Haridwar plans a day before the event.
Diplomatic Clearance and Prior Engagement
The source further clarified that the South African High Commission in New Delhi had cleared Zuma’s visit with the Indian government and had met him upon his arrival in the capital on Thursday, 24 June. Sooklal’s attendance at the Haridwar prayer meeting was therefore framed as a continuation of standard diplomatic hospitality rather than an unsanctioned political act. The official maintained that any appearance of impropriety stemmed from a misunderstanding rather than a deliberate breach of protocol.
Ajay Gupta’s Legal Situation and NPA Stance
Despite being widely regarded as the intellectual architect of the Gupta brothers’ state‑capture enterprise, Ajay Gupta faces no arrest warrant issued by South African authorities. NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed that while Red Notices exist for Atul and Rajesh Gupta, no comparable notice has been pursued for Ajay, citing his low‑profile operational role—he rarely signed emails and never served as a director of companies that contracted with state‑owned entities such as Transnet, Eskom, or Denel. Investigator Rudi Heyneke of OUTA noted that Ajay’s influence was exercised through his brothers, particularly the younger Tony (aka Rajesh), allowing him to remain insulated from direct legal exposure.
Extradition Efforts and the Nulane Case
The NPA has sought the extradition of Atul and Rajesh Gupta from the United Arab Emirates, where they were arrested in 2022. A Dubai court rejected South Africa’s extradition request in 2023 on technical grounds, prompting then‑Minister Lamola to announce an appeal. In January 2026, outgoing NPA head Shamila Batohi pledged to file a renewed extradition application; Kganyago later affirmed that the Red Notice remains active and the extradition process is underway. Concurrently, the NPA reopened the Nulane‑Investment corruption case after successfully appealing a Free State high court acquittal, signalling a renewed push to prosecute the Gupta‑linked scheme that allegedly diverted state funds into private accounts.
Zondo Commission Findings
The Zondo Commission, which investigated state capture during Zuma’s presidency, did not name Ajay Gupta individually for prosecution. However, it recommended action against “members of” the Gupta family for their complicity in the Vrede Dairy and Optimum Coal Mine scandals. The commission estimated that the Gupta network had siphoned at least R15 billion of the R57 billion identified as state money tainted by corruption. This finding underscores the broader familial culpability, even if direct charges against Ajay remain elusive due to evidentiary challenges.
Zuma’s Remarks in Haridwar and Speculation
At the temple gathering, Jacob Zuma was garlanded with rose petals and told Indian journalists that he had come to visit his “brother and friend” Ajay Gupta, who had been forced to leave South Africa. Zuma claimed Gupta had introduced him to a “man of God” who had been a steadfast supporter. He asserted that divine backing would enable him to win future elections and return to power. Media outlets speculated that the trip might be linked to fundraising for Zuma’s legal defence—following rulings that held him personally responsible for R29‑million in court fees—or to bolster his electoral prospects ahead of upcoming polls.
Political Commentary and Public Perception
IOL quoted MK party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu, who dismissed concerns that Zuma’s meeting with Gupta jeopardised South Africa’s anti‑corruption drive, noting that Zuma, as a private citizen, is free to travel and that his attendance at the annual Haridwar event dates back to circa 2012. This viewpoint reflects a segment of the political spectrum that views the encounter as a personal, rather than official, matter. Nevertheless, the episode has reignited debates about the blurred lines between private diplomacy and state accountability, especially given the lingering shadow of state‑capture allegations over the former president and his associates.
Implications and Outlook
The incident places Minister Lamola under pressure to demonstrate that South Africa’s diplomatic service adheres to strict ethical standards, particularly when engaging with individuals linked to serious corruption allegations. The internal investigation ordered by Lamola may clarify whether procedural lapses occurred and could lead to disciplinary or systemic reforms within Dirco. Simultaneously, the NPA’s ongoing extradition pursuits and the reopened Nulane case signal that prosecutorial efforts against the Gupta network persist, albeit hampered by jurisdictional and evidentiary obstacles. As political actors continue to interpret the Haridwar meeting through their respective lenses, the episode serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between personal relationships, diplomatic protocol, and the nation’s quest for transparency and justice.