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April 7 (Reuters) – A United Arab Emirates court has rejected South Africa’s request to extradite brothers Atul and Rajesh Gupta, who face political corruption, Justice Minister Ronald Lamora said on Friday. accused.
The brothers are accused of using their ties to Jacob Zuma, who served as South Africa’s president from 2009 to 2018, to win contracts, influence cabinet appointments and embezzle state funds. The Zuma and Gupta families have denied any wrongdoing.
Ramora said South Africa received a diplomatic letter from the UAE on April 6 stating that the UAE court had rendered its ruling on February 13.
“On the evening of April 6, 2023, we received a note verbale from the UAE, in which we were shocked and dismayed to learn that the extradition hearing had concluded in the UAE courts on February 13, 2023 and that our extradition request was unsuccessful, ’ La Mora told reporters.
The court ruled that the UAE has the right to prosecute Guptas for alleged money laundering offenses committed in the UAE and South Africa, Lamola said.
He added that South Africa would “immediately appeal” the decision.
Reporting by Nelson Banya in Harare; Editing by Jason Neely and Edwina Gibbs
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