The United Arab Emirates has ratified a 2018 extradition treaty with South Africa, its embassy in Pretoria said on Wednesday, a move that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government hopes will lead to the return of the Gupta brothers to face corruption charges. South Africa signed the treaty with the UAE in late 2018, part of Ramaphosa’s effort to crack down on those accused of corruption and influence peddling under his predecessor, Jacob Zuma. “These agreements have been and remain key to the UAE in promoting judicial and legal cooperation with South Africa and strengthening bilateral relations between law enforcement institutions and partners on both sides,” the UAE’s ambassador to South Africa, Mahash Alhameli, said in the statement. The Gupta brothers – Atul, Ajay and Rajesh Gupta – are accused of using connections with Zuma to win contracts, misappropriate state assets, inappropriately influence cabinet appointments and siphon off billions of rand in state funds. The Indian-born brothers, who have repeatedly denied wrongdoing, are believed to be in Dubai where they own property and businesses.
SOURCE: REUTERS
More Stories
Kenya and Tanzania Scooped at least 20 Combined Awards in the Africa Category of World Travel Awards
Why this Moroccan Town is Perfect for the Libra Traveler
Famous Western Cape Region of Fynbos and Forests also Harbours a Scary Side
South African Airways Isn’t Flying to the UK Anytime Soon
Egypt Launches the First International Art Exhibition at the Great Pyramids of Giza
Giggs Kgole Pays Tribute to His African Ancestors in His First Solo London Exhibition
Try This Grape Tarragon Spritzer from Bryant Terry’s ‘Black Food’
Haile Gerima is Having a Hollywood Moment. It’s Left Him Conflicted
Pan-African Streetwear Label Finchitua Goes Intergalactic
See the Spectacular Design on Display at Lagos Design Week
Africa Looks for Developed World to Settle its Climate Change Debt
Africa’s Eastern Glaciers will Vanish in Two Decades