20 Facts About Guptagate

The Rise of the Gupta Family

The Gupta family's journey in South Africa began in the early 1990s. Their influence grew rapidly, leading to a scandal that shook the nation.

1. Arrival and Early Business Ventures
   The Guptas arrived in South Africa in 1993 and quickly established Sahara Computers. By 1994, they had set up their first business venture, marking the beginning of their rise in the country's business landscape.

2. Philanthropic Initiatives
   To build goodwill, the Guptas initiated several philanthropic projects. They claimed their Mabengela Empowerment Trust was worth over R1 billion and would benefit widows and orphans of police officers who died in the line of duty.

Media and Political Influence

The Guptas didn't stop at business; they extended their reach into media and politics, creating a powerful network of influence.

3. Media Influence
   In 2010, the Guptas launched The New Age newspaper, which became a key tool in their propaganda campaign. The paper often promoted the Gupta family's interests and deflected criticism against them.

4. Nkandla Scandal
   The Nkandla scandal, involving President Jacob Zuma's lavish upgrades to his private residence, was closely linked to the Gupta family. This scandal highlighted the deep-seated corruption and nepotism in the Zuma administration.

5. Gloria Bongi Ngema and the Gupta Connection
   One of President Zuma's fiancées, Gloria Bongi Ngema, landed a plum job with the Gupta family. This relationship exemplified how the Guptas influenced Zuma's personal life and decisions.

Business Ventures and Controversies

The Gupta family's business ventures often led to controversies, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and undue influence.

6. Duduzane Zuma's Business Ventures
   Duduzane Zuma, the president's son, was involved in several business ventures with the Gupta family. He was a shareholder in a proposed new steel plant and had a stake in ArcelorMittal, raising concerns about conflicts of interest.

7. Police Encounter with Atul Gupta
   In 2010, Atul Gupta was stopped by police on the R55 motorway. He refused to be frisked and boasted about his connections, including knowing police commissioner Bheki Cele. This incident highlighted the Guptas' arrogance and belief in their own impunity.

Resistance and Investigations

Despite their influence, the Guptas faced resistance and investigations that exposed their corrupt activities.

8. Support for Pravin Gordhan
   The South African Communist Party (SACP) supported Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in his fight against corruption and state capture, despite the Guptas' influence over the government.

9. Lobbying Against Financial Intelligence Centre Act
   The Guptas attempted to lobby President Jacob Zuma to reject proposed amendments to the Financial Intelligence Centre Act. This move aimed to prevent banks from scrutinizing the wealth of politically connected individuals.

10. Investigation into Gupta Family’s Bank Accounts
    The Reserve Bank demanded that an Indian bank release documents related to Gupta family bank accounts. This investigation was part of an inquiry into allegations that the Guptas were illegally channeling money out of the country.

Global Impact and Scandals

The Gupta family's influence extended beyond South Africa, leading to global scandals and repercussions.

11. Bell Pottinger Scandal
    In 2017, British PR firm Bell Pottinger was accused of exploiting racial divisions to deflect attention from the Gupta family's troubles. The company eventually collapsed due to the scandal and issued an apology for its role.

12. Fake News Campaigns
    Media interests owned by the Gupta family were accused of running fake news campaigns against individuals and groups seen as hostile to their interests. Targets included Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.

State-Owned Enterprises and Corruption

The Guptas' influence extended to state-owned enterprises, leading to improper awarding of contracts and other corrupt activities.

13. Influence on State-Owned Enterprises
    The Gupta family's influence extended to state-owned enterprises such as Eskom, Transnet, and Denel. They were implicated in the improper awarding of contracts, including a R51 billion deal for 600 trains from China South Rail.

14. SAP Kickback Allegations
    In 2017, SAP was accused of paying R100 million to CAD House, a Gupta-controlled company, to secure a Transnet deal. SAP denied the allegations but suspended managers and launched an investigation.

15. VR Laser Services Partnership
    The Guptas and Duduzane Zuma owned a 25% stake in VR Laser Services, which entered into a partnership with Denel to establish Denel Asia. The Democratic Alliance alleged that this joint venture was illegal due to non-compliance with the Public Finance Management Act.

The State Capture Inquiry

The state capture inquiry revealed extensive evidence of the Guptas' influence over government decisions, leading to significant consequences.

16. State Capture Inquiry
    The state capture inquiry, established to investigate corruption allegations during Jacob Zuma's presidency, revealed extensive evidence of the Guptas' influence over government decisions. Public officials testified that they were instructed by the Guptas to take decisions that advanced the family's business interests.

17. Global Magnitsky Designations
    In 2019, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned members of the Gupta family under the Global Magnitsky Act for their involvement in corruption and bribery schemes. The sanctions targeted individuals who leveraged their political connections to engage in widespread corruption.

18. Offer of Ministerial Positions
    Multiple members of parliament and ministers testified that they were offered government positions by or on behalf of the Gupta family in return for beneficial commercial decisions. This practice was seen as a key mechanism in the Guptas' strategy to capture state power.

19. Weakening of Law Enforcement Agencies
    The Guptas' influence extended to law enforcement agencies, with the president having the power to appoint heads of these agencies. This allowed them to neutralize any potential threats to their corruption schemes.

20. Consequences and Legacy
    The Guptagate scandal led to significant consequences for the Gupta family and their allies. The family's reputation was severely damaged, and their businesses were ostracized by major banks. The scandal also contributed to the eventual downfall of President Jacob Zuma and the ANC government.

The Aftermath of Guptagate

Guptagate left a lasting mark on South Africa. The Gupta family's influence over the government and state-owned enterprises during Jacob Zuma's presidency showcased the dangers of unchecked power. Their corruption and state capture tactics, from media manipulation to offering ministerial positions, revealed a deep web of deceit. The state capture inquiry and subsequent U.S. sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act highlighted the extent of their wrongdoing. The scandal not only tarnished the Guptas' reputation but also contributed to Zuma's downfall. Today, Guptagate serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in governance. South Africa continues to grapple with the fallout, striving to ensure such abuses of power are never repeated. The legacy of Guptagate underscores the need for robust anti-corruption measures to protect democratic societies.