South Africa's Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has warned that Kamal Singhala, son of fugitive Ajay Gupta, of the possibility of having his citizenship revoked. Watch in for more details!

South Africa: Home Ministry wants to revoke Gupta son's citizenship

South Africa has widened a corruption probe into allies of ex-president Jacob Zuma to other countries including India, China and Dubai, the police minister said Sunday.

Fikile Mbalula made the announcement days after South Africa issued an arrest warrant for one of the brothers of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-african-police-raid-home-of-guptas-friends-of-president-zuma-32846" target="_blank">Gupta business family</a>, close associates of scandal-plagued Zuma who was forced from power on Wednesday.

Mbalula told public broadcaster SABC that Ajay Gupta and another four people who are being sought in connection with the case were all out of the country.

While there was no indication that they fled the country fearing arrest, Mbalula vowed that they will &quot;be followed up&quot; through Interpol with the possibility of extradition to face trial in South Africa.

He said two of the suspects were of Indian descent and one other was Chinese. All are thought to be in India, China or Dubai.

&quot;We operate through Interpol, we operate through bilateral (means), if you ever resist there will be extradition. All means necessary will be employed to ensure these people are brought to book,&quot; said Mbalula.

He refused to name the suspects except for Ajay Gupta who police last week declared a fugitive.

Local media reports suggested &nbsp;that Zuma&#39;s son Duduzane, a business associate of the Guptas, is also among those being sought, and some speculated that he could be in Dubai.

The minister refused to say whether Duduzane Zuma is on the police wanted list.

&quot;There will be more arrests... it&#39;s not just a witch hunt,&quot; he added.

&quot;It doesn&#39;t matter, if you are a politician ... there are no holy cows, there are no untouchables.&quot;

In all, 13 people are facing charges linked to allegations that millions of dollars of public money meant for poor dairy farmers was syphoned off by the Guptas. Eight other suspects were arrested last week and have appeared in court.

In his first address to the nation hours after he assumed power on Friday, new South African President Cyril Ramaphosa vowed to fight corruption in a direct reference to the accusations levelled at his predecessor Zuma.

South Africa is also looking at Zuma's contacts in China and Dubai

South Africa has widened a corruption probe into allies of ex-president Jacob Zuma to other countries including India, China and Dubai, the police minister said Sunday. Fikile Mbalula made the announcement days after South Africa issued an arrest warrant for one of the brothers of the Gupta business family, close associates of scandal-plagued Zuma who was forced from power on Wednesday. Mbalula told public broadcaster SABC that Ajay Gupta and another four people who are being sought in connection with the case were all out of the country. While there was no indication that they fled the country fearing arrest, Mbalula vowed that they will "be followed up" through Interpol with the possibility of extradition to face trial in South Africa. He said two of the suspects were of Indian descent and one other was Chinese. All are thought to be in India, China or Dubai. "We operate through Interpol, we operate through bilateral (means), if you ever resist there will be extradition. All means necessary will be employed to ensure these people are brought to book," said Mbalula. He refused to name the suspects except for Ajay Gupta who police last week declared a fugitive. Local media reports suggested that Zuma's son Duduzane, a business associate of the Guptas, is also among those being sought, and some speculated that he could be in Dubai. The minister refused to say whether Duduzane Zuma is on the police wanted list. "There will be more arrests... it's not just a witch hunt," he added. "It doesn't matter, if you are a politician ... there are no holy cows, there are no untouchables." In all, 13 people are facing charges linked to allegations that millions of dollars of public money meant for poor dairy farmers was syphoned off by the Guptas. Eight other suspects were arrested last week and have appeared in court. In his first address to the nation hours after he assumed power on Friday, new South African President Cyril Ramaphosa vowed to fight corruption in a direct reference to the accusations levelled at his predecessor Zuma.

South Africa widens Zuma corruption probe to India

Heavily armed South African police raided the luxury home of the Gupta family on Wednesday as part of a probe into allegations the three brothers had corrupt links with President Jacob Zuma, who has been <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-africas-anc-confirms-recall-of-zuma-from-presidency-32764" target="_blank">ordered by the ruling ANC to quit</a> as head of state.

The raid marks a dramatic escalation in the pressure on Zuma and the political faction around him accused of milking state resources for their own ends. However, it remains unclear whether the 75-year-old will throw in the towel, or dig in deeper.

The early morning raid, which the police&#39;s elite Hawks unit said resulted in three arrests, took place amid reports Zuma was preparing to tell South Africa he was stepping down after nine years in office dogged by scandal and economic stagnation.

The SABC, South Africa&#39;s state broadcaster, said a Gupta family member was among those detained.

Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba said Zuma would speak at 0800 GMT and satellite trucks were in position at Pretoria&#39;s Union Buildings, the seat of government. However, Zuma&#39;s office denied there had been any &quot;official communication&quot; of an impending address.

Adding to the confusion, a copy of an email, purportedly from deputy presidential communications director Shadi Baloyi, circulated on Twitter telling Pretoria police that plans for a &quot;special media briefing&quot; by Zuma at 0800 GMT at the Union Buildings had been cancelled.

&quot;Kindly ignore my earlier request, as the briefing will not take place tomorrow,&quot; Baloyi wrote. Reuters was unable to confirm the email&#39;s authenticity and Baloyi did not answer her phone or respond to text messages.

Zuma&#39;s spokesman did not answer his phone.

&#39;Crime scene&#39;

The document was just one of the many dramas gripping Pretoria and Johannesburg, South Africa&#39;s political and commercial capitals, as the net closed in on Zuma and his allies.

Shortly after dawn, a dozen officers from the elite Hawks police unit sealed off a street leading to the Gupta mansion in Johannesburg&#39;s upscale Saxonwold suburb. One officer blocked access to Reuters, saying: &quot;This is a crime scene.&quot;

Minutes later, an unmarked police van left the compound as residents applauded police officers and hurled abuse at security guards for the Guptas, who have been accused by South Africa&#39;s top anti-corruption watchdog of influence-peddling and swaying the appointment of cabinet ministers.

&quot;Finally something is being done about it. These guys must get out of our country. They must leave us alone. They have done enough damage,&quot; said Tessa Turvey, head of the local residents&#39; association, standing outside the compound&#39;s iron gates.

Police also raided the Guptas&#39; Oakbay holding company in Johannesburg&#39;s Sandton financial district, according to a security guard outside the building.

On Tuesday, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) ordered Zuma to step down as president of the country, giving him no firm deadline but saying the party was sure he would comply and &quot;respond&quot; on Wednesday.

Zuma and the Guptas - a family of wealthy Indian-born businessmen - deny any wrongdoing.

A lawyer for the Gupta family said he could not comment on the raid because he had yet to see the search warrant.

Hawks spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi said the raid was part of a probe into influence-peddling allegations. The allegations are also the subject of a judicial inquiry on wider corruption involving the Guptas, dubbed &quot;state capture&quot; in local media.

&quot;We&#39;re not playing around in terms of making sure that those who are responsible in the so-called state capture, they take responsibility for it,&quot; Mulaudzi said.

He declined to give details of what was seized or if the business premises of the Guptas, whose commercial empire stretches from mining to media, would also be raided.

&#39;Disciplined member&#39;

Signs of law enforcement mobilising against the Guptas - and by association Zuma - caused the rand to strengthen 0.5 percent against the dollar. The currency has tended to gain ground on any sign of Zuma&#39;s political departure approaching.

Zuma&#39;s silence has fuelled speculation of an increasingly desperate power struggle behind the scenes with deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, whose election to the head of ANC in December marked the beginning of the end of Zuma&#39;s tenure.

Besides his controversial relationship with the Guptas, who were born in India but moved to South Africa in the early 1990s, Zuma has 783 counts of corruption outstanding against him relating to a $2.5 billion state arms deal in the late 1990s.

Besides the pressure from the ANC, Zuma is facing a no-confidence motion in parliament brought by the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters. That motion is set for Feb. 22.

The ANC could throw its weight behind such a vote if Zuma, who has survived several no-confidence motions in the past, refused to heed its orders to resign. The entire Cabinet would have to step down if such a vote went through.

The Guptas have been accused by South Africa's top anti-corruption watchdog of influence-peddling and swaying the appointment of cabinet ministers

Heavily armed South African police raided the luxury home of the Gupta family on Wednesday as part of a probe into allegations the three brothers had corrupt links with President Jacob Zuma, who has been ordered by the ruling ANC to quit as head of state. The raid marks a dramatic escalation in the pressure on Zuma and the political faction around him accused of milking state resources for their own ends. However, it remains unclear whether the 75-year-old will throw in the towel, or dig in deeper. The early morning raid, which the police's elite Hawks unit said resulted in three arrests, took place amid reports Zuma was preparing to tell South Africa he was stepping down after nine years in office dogged by scandal and economic stagnation. The SABC, South Africa's state broadcaster, said a Gupta family member was among those detained. Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba said Zuma would speak at 0800 GMT and satellite trucks were in position at Pretoria's Union Buildings, the seat of government. However, Zuma's office denied there had been any "official communication" of an impending address. Adding to the confusion, a copy of an email, purportedly from deputy presidential communications director Shadi Baloyi, circulated on Twitter telling Pretoria police that plans for a "special media briefing" by Zuma at 0800 GMT at the Union Buildings had been cancelled. "Kindly ignore my earlier request, as the briefing will not take place tomorrow," Baloyi wrote. Reuters was unable to confirm the email's authenticity and Baloyi did not answer her phone or respond to text messages. Zuma's spokesman did not answer his phone. 'Crime scene' The document was just one of the many dramas gripping Pretoria and Johannesburg, South Africa's political and commercial capitals, as the net closed in on Zuma and his allies. Shortly after dawn, a dozen officers from the elite Hawks police unit sealed off a street leading to the Gupta mansion in Johannesburg's upscale Saxonwold suburb. One officer blocked access to Reuters, saying: "This is a crime scene." Minutes later, an unmarked police van left the compound as residents applauded police officers and hurled abuse at security guards for the Guptas, who have been accused by South Africa's top anti-corruption watchdog of influence-peddling and swaying the appointment of cabinet ministers. "Finally something is being done about it. These guys must get out of our country. They must leave us alone. They have done enough damage," said Tessa Turvey, head of the local residents' association, standing outside the compound's iron gates. Police also raided the Guptas' Oakbay holding company in Johannesburg's Sandton financial district, according to a security guard outside the building. On Tuesday, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) ordered Zuma to step down as president of the country, giving him no firm deadline but saying the party was sure he would comply and "respond" on Wednesday. Zuma and the Guptas - a family of wealthy Indian-born businessmen - deny any wrongdoing. A lawyer for the Gupta family said he could not comment on the raid because he had yet to see the search warrant. Hawks spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi said the raid was part of a probe into influence-peddling allegations. The allegations are also the subject of a judicial inquiry on wider corruption involving the Guptas, dubbed "state capture" in local media. "We're not playing around in terms of making sure that those who are responsible in the so-called state capture, they take responsibility for it," Mulaudzi said. He declined to give details of what was seized or if the business premises of the Guptas, whose commercial empire stretches from mining to media, would also be raided. 'Disciplined member' Signs of law enforcement mobilising against the Guptas - and by association Zuma - caused the rand to strengthen 0.5 percent against the dollar. The currency has tended to gain ground on any sign of Zuma's political departure approaching. Zuma's silence has fuelled speculation of an increasingly desperate power struggle behind the scenes with deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, whose election to the head of ANC in December marked the beginning of the end of Zuma's tenure. Besides his controversial relationship with the Guptas, who were born in India but moved to South Africa in the early 1990s, Zuma has 783 counts of corruption outstanding against him relating to a $2.5 billion state arms deal in the late 1990s. Besides the pressure from the ANC, Zuma is facing a no-confidence motion in parliament brought by the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters. That motion is set for Feb. 22. The ANC could throw its weight behind such a vote if Zuma, who has survived several no-confidence motions in the past, refused to heed its orders to resign. The entire Cabinet would have to step down if such a vote went through.

South African police raid home of Guptas, friends of President Zuma

The Gupta family agreed to sell their South African mining unit for $225 million on Wednesday, the second disposal this week from the company&#39;s portfolio of investments which have been caught up in an influence-peddling scandal.

The sale by the Gupta&#39;s Oakbay vehicle is part of plans announced a year ago to sell all their businesses in South Africa, after companies including the country&#39;s four largest banks severed links with Oakbay, citing reputational risks.

The Gupta family, business friends of President Jacob Zuma, are accused of using their links with the 75-year old leader to wield undue influence and win lucrative state contracts. Both Zuma and the family deny any wrongdoing.

Oakbay said it would sell Tegeta Exploration and Resources, whose mines supply coal to South African state-owned power utility Eskom, for 2.97 billion rands ($225 million) to a Swiss-based company called Charles King SA.

The sale is the second this week by Oakbay, which said on Monday it had agreed to sell its stakes in the New Age newspaper and the ANN7 television news channel to Zuma ally and former government spokesman Mzwanele Manyi.

Oakbay has been searching for a banking partner after Indian-based Bank of Baroda said it would also cut links with the Guptas at the end of this month.

The Guptas, who are in business with Zuma&#39;s son Duduzane, have said stepping aside as owners would help the company restore banking relations and preserve jobs.

Charles King is a little-known Lausanne-based company listed by Switzerland&#39;s company register Moneyhouse as involved in trading in clothes and shoes. Oakbay said it had been acquired by Amin Al Zarooni, who it said was a leading businessman in the United Arab Emirates, as a special purpose vehicle for investments such as Tegeta.

&quot;Mining is an excellent growth sector on the continent and with this acquisition, our expansion plans on the African continent kick start,&quot; Oakbay quoted Al Zarooni as saying.

To underscore his credentials, Oakbay also set out a list of what it said were his global commodity businesses and said he was an active participant in global private equity markets.

The deal with Charles King has the support of mines minister Mosebenzi Zwane. &quot;The Department welcomes the undertaking to save employees&#39; jobs in Tegeta&#39;s various operations,&quot; his office said in a statement.

The three Gupta brothers moved to South Africa from India at the end of apartheid rule in the mid-1990s and went on to build a business empire stretching from technology to mining.

They are now embroiled in a scandal which has drawn in several international companies, including Germany&#39;s SAP, and deepened a divide in the ruling African National Congress, with some senior members calling for Zuma to resign.

The sale by the Gupta's Oakbay vehicle is part of plans announced a year ago to sell all their businesses in South Africa,

The Gupta family agreed to sell their South African mining unit for $225 million on Wednesday, the second disposal this week from the company's portfolio of investments which have been caught up in an influence-peddling scandal. The sale by the Gupta's Oakbay vehicle is part of plans announced a year ago to sell all their businesses in South Africa, after companies including the country's four largest banks severed links with Oakbay, citing reputational risks. The Gupta family, business friends of President Jacob Zuma, are accused of using their links with the 75-year old leader to wield undue influence and win lucrative state contracts. Both Zuma and the family deny any wrongdoing. Oakbay said it would sell Tegeta Exploration and Resources, whose mines supply coal to South African state-owned power utility Eskom, for 2.97 billion rands ($225 million) to a Swiss-based company called Charles King SA. The sale is the second this week by Oakbay, which said on Monday it had agreed to sell its stakes in the New Age newspaper and the ANN7 television news channel to Zuma ally and former government spokesman Mzwanele Manyi. Oakbay has been searching for a banking partner after Indian-based Bank of Baroda said it would also cut links with the Guptas at the end of this month. The Guptas, who are in business with Zuma's son Duduzane, have said stepping aside as owners would help the company restore banking relations and preserve jobs. Charles King is a little-known Lausanne-based company listed by Switzerland's company register Moneyhouse as involved in trading in clothes and shoes. Oakbay said it had been acquired by Amin Al Zarooni, who it said was a leading businessman in the United Arab Emirates, as a special purpose vehicle for investments such as Tegeta. "Mining is an excellent growth sector on the continent and with this acquisition, our expansion plans on the African continent kick start," Oakbay quoted Al Zarooni as saying. To underscore his credentials, Oakbay also set out a list of what it said were his global commodity businesses and said he was an active participant in global private equity markets. The deal with Charles King has the support of mines minister Mosebenzi Zwane. "The Department welcomes the undertaking to save employees' jobs in Tegeta's various operations," his office said in a statement. The three Gupta brothers moved to South Africa from India at the end of apartheid rule in the mid-1990s and went on to build a business empire stretching from technology to mining. They are now embroiled in a scandal which has drawn in several international companies, including Germany's SAP, and deepened a divide in the ruling African National Congress, with some senior members calling for Zuma to resign.

Gupta's agreed to sell their South African mining unit for $225 million

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