Gupta-filming businessperson held in Dubai
The South African department of international relations and cooperation (Dirco) has confirmed the arrest of businessperson Justin van Pletzen, who last week filmed and posted a video of wanted fugitive Ajay Gupta outside the Indian Consulate in Dubai.
“It is alleged that Mr Van Pletzen’s arrest is linked to a video he recently circulated about Mr Ajay Gupta, whom he met in Dubai. However, this is yet to be confirmed by the local authorities,” a statement from Dirco said yesterday.
The department said consular staff visited Van Pletzen yesterday and would continue to provide consular support to the South African businessperson.
“At this stage the department is unable to provide further details on the nature of the charges against the affected South African in Dubai and on the date of his court appearance.”
Van Pletzen ran into Gupta, who is wanted in South Africa on corruption charges, last week, filming the encounter.
In the video, a relaxed Gupta is seen laughing as he’s told the authorities in South Africa are looking for him.
When Van Pletzen confronts Gupta, he asks when he will return to South Africa to answer to state capture allegations.
Gupta’s reply was that he will cooperate with law enforcement agencies once they “give him a reply”.
“They’re not giving a reply. The day they give a reply, I’ll go there,” Ajay says in the video.
Van Pletzen later said he was so incensed at the sight of Gupta that he wanted to hit him but was worried about what the authorities might do to him if he did.
Acting Hawks head Yolisa Matakata announced in February a warrant of arrest for Gupta had been issued related to corruption.
Parliament’s portfolio committee on public enterprises sent summonses to the homes of the Gupta brothers to appear in front of its inquiry into state capture allegations.
“On April 4, 2018, the sheriff attempted to serve the summonses on Mr Ajay Gupta, Mr Atul Gupta, Mr Rajesh Gupta and Mr Duduzane Zuma at their respective lastknown places of residence,” said committee chairperson Zukiswa Rantho. – Citizen reporter & ANA