Guptas shouldn’t jump the gun

Your editorial dealing with the controversy around the Guptas’ dispute with banks and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, pictured, is apposite when applying the audi alterem partem rule – listen to the other side – in law.

However, the Sunday Times reported that the Guptas plan to sue Minister Gordhan for “initiating a severe and devastating onslaught” against their businesses. There are several undisclosed obstacles in the way of the Guptas.

Firstly, there are allegations of their total disregard for corporate governance and, indeed, investigations are still ongoing with regard to financial intelligence, money laundering and suspicious dealings with Denel, Eskom and Transnet.

Aside from the fact that the Gupta family enjoyed a laissez-faire relationship with many state entities, courtesy of the president, an audit is still to be conducted to ascertain their modus operandi.

Whatever the outcome of the public protector’s report, it is certain lawyers stand to reap the benefits.

Meanwhile, the Guptas should not get too enthusiastic about suing Gordhan or Treasury lest a can of worms be opened.

Nathan Cheiman,

Northcliff

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