South African authorities on Monday confirmed that a formal extradition application was submitted to the Central Authority in the United Arab Emirates for extradition of Gupta brothers. 
 
"This is within the 60-day period from date of arrest of the Gupta brothers, as set out in the Extradition Treaty between South Africa and the UAE. The application, submitted in both English and Arabic, addresses the general requirements for extradition which, if met, would allow the extradition to be granted under either the existing Extradition Treaty or the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), or both," National Prosecuting Authority said.

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Atul Kumar Gupta and Rajesh Kumar Gupta were arrested in Dubai last month after an Interpol red notice was issued for the brothers who are wanted for corruption, fraud and money laundering charges. 
 
Charges against Rajesh and Atul Gupta relate to a Rs 24.9 million tender that was issued by the Free State Department of Agriculture to a company called Nulane Investments 204 between November 2011 and April 2012.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-probes-chinas-huawei-over-equipment-near-missile-silos-500549">US probes China's Huawei over equipment near missile silos</a> 
 
"The submission of the formal application request for the arrest and extradition of the Gupta brothers is an important milestone in the NPA’s commitment to hold accountable perpetrators of state capture and uphold the rule of law. It reaffirms our resolve to be the lawyers of the people 
and seek collective justice for our country," NPA said. 
 
However, "this process could take several months, as the NPA we will continue with our commitment to deliver for impact. The country demands this of us, and we are ready to keep moving to bring justice," Head of the NPA Shamila Batohi said.

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South African authorities on Monday confirmed that a formal extradition application was submitted to the Central Authority in the United Arab Emirates for extradition of Gupta brothers.

South African authorities on Monday confirmed that a formal extradition application was submitted to the Central Authority in the United Arab Emirates for extradition of Gupta brothers. "This is within the 60-day period from date of arrest of the Gupta brothers, as set out in the Extradition Treaty between South Africa and the UAE. The application, submitted in both English and Arabic, addresses the general requirements for extradition which, if met, would allow the extradition to be granted under either the existing Extradition Treaty or the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), or both," National Prosecuting Authority said. Also read | Ukraine looks to ship food grains this week despite attack on Odessa port Atul Kumar Gupta and Rajesh Kumar Gupta were arrested in Dubai last month after an Interpol red notice was issued for the brothers who are wanted for corruption, fraud and money laundering charges. Charges against Rajesh and Atul Gupta relate to a Rs 24.9 million tender that was issued by the Free State Department of Agriculture to a company called Nulane Investments 204 between November 2011 and April 2012. Also read | US probes China's Huawei over equipment near missile silos "The submission of the formal application request for the arrest and extradition of the Gupta brothers is an important milestone in the NPA’s commitment to hold accountable perpetrators of state capture and uphold the rule of law. It reaffirms our resolve to be the lawyers of the people and seek collective justice for our country," NPA said. However, "this process could take several months, as the NPA we will continue with our commitment to deliver for impact. The country demands this of us, and we are ready to keep moving to bring justice," Head of the NPA Shamila Batohi said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE -

South African authorities confirm receiving extradition request for Gupta brothers

The National Prosecuting Authority Investigating Directorate has seized assets of the Guptas and their associate worth millions of Rands.&nbsp;

The seized assets include luxury properties in Morningside, Saxonwold and Constantia. Prosecutors have also sought help from Interpol to arrest the Guptas and extradite them to South Africa to face criminal charges, a statement from the Dorcetorate said.&nbsp;

"The High Court of South Africa, Free State Division, Bloemfontein granted the NPA's investigating Directorate a restraint order to freeze assets of Iqbal Sharma, his company Nulane Investments 204 (Pty) Ltd, and Islandsite Investments 180 (Pty) Ltd, which belongs to Atul and Rajesh Gupta and their wives, Chetali and Arti Gupta, respectively," it said.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-seeks-interpols-assistance-for-guptas-arrest-389247" hreflang="en">South Africa seeks Interpol's assistance for Gupta's arrest</a>

A High Court-appointed curator will take control of and preserve the assets, pending the outcome of criminal charges for fraud and money laundering offences instituted against Sharma, Nulane, Islandsite, the four Guptas named above and others in the Bloemfontein Regional Court on 3 June 2021.&nbsp;

If the accused is convicted, the NDPP will apply for a confiscation order against Sharma and Islandsite to recoup the value of benefits derived from the offences and related criminal activities, the statement further read.&nbsp;

Those affected face criminal charges related to a contract concluded between Nulane and the Free State Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2011 for which Nulane was paid R24.9 million for a feasibility study that is subcontracted to Deloitte for R1.5 million. The study relates to potential farming projects in the Free State to be funded under ‘Mohoma Mobung’, a provincial initiative for rural upliftment and job creation.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-jacob-zumas-corruption-trial-to-resume-on-monday-385487" hreflang="en">South Africa: Jacob Zuma's corruption trial to resume on Monday</a>

Nulane recommended an Indian company, Paras Dairy, for the Vrede dairy project, now linked to the Estina fraud investigation.&nbsp;

The fraudulent proceeds of R24.9 million paid to Nulane by the Department were transferred between Nulane and several companies, including Gupta entities Islandsite and Pragat Investments (Pty) Ltd, to launder the funds ultimately directed to the Gupta family.&nbsp;Other funds that flowed between the companies as part of the money laundering transactions are presumed proceeds of unlawful activities in terms of POCA. &nbsp;

A second subcontract was concluded between Nulane and UAE-based Gateway Limited, duplicating the one with Deloitte, in order to transfer R19 million offshore. Gateway is linked to the Guptas. &nbsp;

Sharma's assets that form part of the curator's inventory include his Sandton home valued at over R12 million. The property was featured on a lifestyle television programme, Top Billing, and is owned through a UAE-registered company, Issar Global. Other assets include movable property valued at R500 thousand and a R1.3 million sectional title home in Sandton. Properties owned by Gupta family company Islandsite that form part of the inventory include a house worth R21m in Constantia, near Cape Town and a R12m house in Saxonwold.

The NPA has also sought Interpol's help to deport and arrest some members of the Gupta family to face a corruption trial.&nbsp;

The National Prosecuting Authority Investigating Directorate has seized assets of the Guptas and their associate worth millions of Rands. The seized assets include luxury properties in Morningside, Saxonwold and Constantia.

The National Prosecuting Authority Investigating Directorate has seized assets of the Guptas and their associate worth millions of Rands. The seized assets include luxury properties in Morningside, Saxonwold and Constantia. Prosecutors have also sought help from Interpol to arrest the Guptas and extradite them to South Africa to face criminal charges, a statement from the Dorcetorate said. "The High Court of South Africa, Free State Division, Bloemfontein granted the NPA's investigating Directorate a restraint order to freeze assets of Iqbal Sharma, his company Nulane Investments 204 (Pty) Ltd, and Islandsite Investments 180 (Pty) Ltd, which belongs to Atul and Rajesh Gupta and their wives, Chetali and Arti Gupta, respectively," it said. Also read | South Africa seeks Interpol's assistance for Gupta's arrest A High Court-appointed curator will take control of and preserve the assets, pending the outcome of criminal charges for fraud and money laundering offences instituted against Sharma, Nulane, Islandsite, the four Guptas named above and others in the Bloemfontein Regional Court on 3 June 2021. If the accused is convicted, the NDPP will apply for a confiscation order against Sharma and Islandsite to recoup the value of benefits derived from the offences and related criminal activities, the statement further read. Those affected face criminal charges related to a contract concluded between Nulane and the Free State Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2011 for which Nulane was paid R24.9 million for a feasibility study that is subcontracted to Deloitte for R1.5 million. The study relates to potential farming projects in the Free State to be funded under ‘Mohoma Mobung’, a provincial initiative for rural upliftment and job creation. Also read | South Africa: Jacob Zuma's corruption trial to resume on Monday Nulane recommended an Indian company, Paras Dairy, for the Vrede dairy project, now linked to the Estina fraud investigation. The fraudulent proceeds of R24.9 million paid to Nulane by the Department were transferred between Nulane and several companies, including Gupta entities Islandsite and Pragat Investments (Pty) Ltd, to launder the funds ultimately directed to the Gupta family. Other funds that flowed between the companies as part of the money laundering transactions are presumed proceeds of unlawful activities in terms of POCA. A second subcontract was concluded between Nulane and UAE-based Gateway Limited, duplicating the one with Deloitte, in order to transfer R19 million offshore. Gateway is linked to the Guptas. Sharma's assets that form part of the curator's inventory include his Sandton home valued at over R12 million. The property was featured on a lifestyle television programme, Top Billing, and is owned through a UAE-registered company, Issar Global. Other assets include movable property valued at R500 thousand and a R1.3 million sectional title home in Sandton. Properties owned by Gupta family company Islandsite that form part of the inventory include a house worth R21m in Constantia, near Cape Town and a R12m house in Saxonwold. The NPA has also sought Interpol's help to deport and arrest some members of the Gupta family to face a corruption trial.

South Africa: NPA seizes Gupta Brothers' property

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday testified on controversial Gupta brothers mining case in which he said his role as then deputy president was "constricted" to investigate corruption allegations.&nbsp;

"As deputy president, you really work under the leadership of the president who leads the executive. Your role, as much as it would appear like it is expansive, it is a role that is constricted," Ramaphosa was quoted as saying by EWN during the hearing at the state capture commission.&nbsp;

Ramaphosa also said that the African National Congress did not probe corruption accusations against the brothers as the party did not hold the capacity to do the same.&nbsp;

However, he agreed with the commission that Parliament had the powers to investigate the allegations and the party should have agreed to it.&nbsp;

To the unversed, Rajesh Gupta (also known as Tony), and his brothers Ajay and Atul have been accused of looting state organisations of billions of rands because of their proximity to former president Zuma.&nbsp;

Former South African mineral resources minister Mosebenzi Zwane is accused of helping the brothers acquire mines in South Africa.&nbsp;

Reports at the time suggested that the Guptas then used the mine to bid for contracts at an exaggerated cost.

 
&nbsp;

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday testified on controversial Gupta brothers mining case in which he said his role as then deputy president was "constricted" to investigate corruption allegations.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday testified on controversial Gupta brothers mining case in which he said his role as then deputy president was "constricted" to investigate corruption allegations. "As deputy president, you really work under the leadership of the president who leads the executive. Your role, as much as it would appear like it is expansive, it is a role that is constricted," Ramaphosa was quoted as saying by EWN during the hearing at the state capture commission. Ramaphosa also said that the African National Congress did not probe corruption accusations against the brothers as the party did not hold the capacity to do the same. However, he agreed with the commission that Parliament had the powers to investigate the allegations and the party should have agreed to it. To the unversed, Rajesh Gupta (also known as Tony), and his brothers Ajay and Atul have been accused of looting state organisations of billions of rands because of their proximity to former president Zuma. Former South African mineral resources minister Mosebenzi Zwane is accused of helping the brothers acquire mines in South Africa. Reports at the time suggested that the Guptas then used the mine to bid for contracts at an exaggerated cost.

South Africa president testifies on corruption accusations involving Gupta brothers

A historic trial is underway in South Africa and the centre of it is the infamous Gupta brothers.

Their links are with former president Jacob Zuma.&nbsp;

Three years after Zuma stepped down, the ghost of the Guptas continues to haunt his successor Cyril Ramaphosa.

Watch |&nbsp;

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But he has decided to grab the bull by its horns.

The South African president appeared before the investigators and decided to present evidence against members of his own party.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-president-testifies-on-corruption-accusations-involving-gupta-brothers-381421">South Africa president testifies on corruption accusations involving Gupta brothers</a>

In a rare move, Ramapohsa testified before a committee named the Zondo Commission of Inquiry that is tasked with looking into corruption in South Africa.

Ramaphosa admitted what the world knew all along that leaders of his party were hand in glove with the Guptas.

It is believed that the Guptas may have drained as much as seven billion dollars from the treasury of South Africa.

This was all possible because of their clout with former president Zuma.&nbsp;

The links ran deep as members of Zuma's family worked for companies owned by Guptas.

Bongi Ngema-Zuma, one his wives, was employed in a mining company.

Zuma's son Duduzane held senior positions too.

And his daughter Duduzile was a director at Sahara Computers, an IT company owned by the Guptas.

With the Zuma family on their side, the Guptas extended their influence over the entire South African government.

They had a say in the hiring of ministers and could even get a minister fired who came in the way of their business interests.

All of this came to light in 2016 as an investigation revealed how the Guptas controlled the government and the country's rich natural resources.

Zuma and the Guptas deny all these charges, but the law seems to be catching up with them.

Ramaphosa says he's determined to make sure justice is served. The question is, will he walk the talk? 
&nbsp;

A historic trial is underway in South Africa and the centre of it is the infamous Gupta brothers. Their links are with former president Jacob Zuma. Three years after Zuma stepped down, the ghost of the Guptas continues to haunt his successor Cyril Ramaphosa.

A historic trial is underway in South Africa and the centre of it is the infamous Gupta brothers. Their links are with former president Jacob Zuma. Three years after Zuma stepped down, the ghost of the Guptas continues to haunt his successor Cyril Ramaphosa. Watch | But he has decided to grab the bull by its horns. The South African president appeared before the investigators and decided to present evidence against members of his own party. Also read | South Africa president testifies on corruption accusations involving Gupta brothers In a rare move, Ramapohsa testified before a committee named the Zondo Commission of Inquiry that is tasked with looking into corruption in South Africa. Ramaphosa admitted what the world knew all along that leaders of his party were hand in glove with the Guptas. It is believed that the Guptas may have drained as much as seven billion dollars from the treasury of South Africa. This was all possible because of their clout with former president Zuma. The links ran deep as members of Zuma's family worked for companies owned by Guptas. Bongi Ngema-Zuma, one his wives, was employed in a mining company. Zuma's son Duduzane held senior positions too. And his daughter Duduzile was a director at Sahara Computers, an IT company owned by the Guptas. With the Zuma family on their side, the Guptas extended their influence over the entire South African government. They had a say in the hiring of ministers and could even get a minister fired who came in the way of their business interests. All of this came to light in 2016 as an investigation revealed how the Guptas controlled the government and the country's rich natural resources. Zuma and the Guptas deny all these charges, but the law seems to be catching up with them. Ramaphosa says he's determined to make sure justice is served. The question is, will he walk the talk?

Will justice be served as South Africa's Ramaphosa testifies in huge corruption scandal?