NDZ linked to Gupta probe
UK authorities on money trail
Presidential hopeful Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s name may be dragged into an investigation by UK authorities as a person close to 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 law maker has flagged her as part of 27 people UK financial institutions should review as a possibility of being involved in nefarious financial activities.
Yesterday, the UK regulators confirmed that it would look into concerns raised by Labour 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 moneylaundering as a result of possible ties to the families.
In a letter, Hain raised concern about the banks’ possible exposure to the Guptas, alleging 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/Zuma criminal network.”
He also asked all UK financial institutions to “review their exposure” of the Gupta and Zuma families’ members and their business.
Dlamini-Zuma is listed as one of these people alongside Zuma’s wives Bongi NgemaZuma and Thobeka MadibaZuma.
The Sunday Times reported earlier this year that millions of rands allegedly laundered by a Gupta associate, Eric Wood, were used to sponsor the awards that saw presidential hopeful Dlamini-Zuma win the South African of the Year two years ago. The awards were run by then Gupta family-owned The New Age.
Wood is also one of the people flagged by Hain, alongside former Eskom chief executive Brian Molefe.
Dlamini-Zuma did not respond at the time of going to press.
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 that it was fully committed to doing business in accordance with local and international regulatory and legal requirements.
Other Zumas on the list are Zuma’s children, including Duduzane and his twin sister Duduzile, Zuma’s brother Michael and the president’s nephew Khulubuse.