UK probes Zuma family graft

ANC presidential hopeful NDZ and Guptas on list

PRESIDENTIAL hopeful Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s name may be dragged into an investigation by UK authorities into alleged financial crimes committed by the Gupta and Zuma families.

Besides the three Gupta brothers, President Jacob Zuma and some of their close family members, a British lawmaker has flagged Dlamini-Zuma as among 27 people UK financial institutions should review as possibly involved in criminal financial activities.

Yesterday, UK regulators confirmed they would look into concerns raised by Labour Party peer Lord Peter Hain that London-based banks might have handled illicit funds linked to the Gupta and Zuma families.

The Financial Conduct Authority has begun a probe into whether HSBC and Standard Chartered facilitated money-laundering as a result of possible ties to the Gupta and Zuma families.

In a letter, Hain asks for an investigation by UK law enforcement and regulatory authorities over the role of big businesses headquartered in the UK in money laundering by the Guptas.

He raised concern about the banks’ possible exposure to the Guptas, alleging that money may have passed through to the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong, where HSBC and Standard Chartered had large footprints.

“I have deep concerns and questions around the complicity, whether witting or unwitting, of UK global financial institutions in the Gupta/ criminal network,” Hain wrote.

He also asked all UK financial institutions to “review their exposu to Gupta and Zuma family members and their business.

Dlamini-Zuma is listed as one of these alongside Zuma’s two other wives – Bongi Ngema-Zuma and Thobeka Madiba-Zuma.

Although Dlamini-Zuma is divorced from Zuma, the pair have four children together.

The Sunday Times reported earlier this year that millions of rands allegedly laundered by a Gupta associate, Eric Wood, were used to sponsor the award of South African of the Year years ago.

The awards are run by the Gupta family-owned The New Age company.

Wood is also flagged by Hains, alongside former Eskom chief ex- to Dlamini-Zuma two ecutive Brian Molefe.

Dlamini-Zuma had not responded to requests for comment at the time of writing.

In response to Hain’s concerns, the UK Treasury said yesterday: “We take allegations of financial misconduct very seriously, and have passed Lord Hain’s letter on to the Financial Conduct Authority and relevant UK law enforcement agencies, including the National Crime Agency and Serious Fraud Office, to agree the right action.”

Standard Chartered said in a statement it took its responsibility to combat financial crime very seriously and was fully committed to doing business in accordance with regulatory and legal requirements.

Others listed are Zuma’s children, including Duduzane and his twin sister Duduzile, Zuma’s brother Michael and nephew Khulubuse. — DDC