More woes for Gupta, Gigaba

CORRUPTION and fraud complaints have been laid against Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba‚ Home Affairs official Gideon Christians‚ Rajesh “Tony” Gupta and Sahara boss Ashu Chawla by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa).

The complaint is outlined in an affidavit supplied to the police by Outa legal affairs head Stefanie Fick.

In the affidavit‚ Fick said the apparent close relationship between Christians‚ Gigaba‚ Chawla and Gupta should be investigated.

It appeared that Chawla and Gupta did not have to follow prescribed procedures in obtaining visas and received preferential treatment from government officials, she said.

“In return‚ it appears that Christians was rewarded for his assistance. It also appears that Tony Gupta may have had the ability to influence decisions taken by Gigaba and the reason therefore should be investigated‚” Fick said in the affidavit.

Gigaba was the home affairs minister from May 2014 to March and Christians the second secretary for immigration and civic services at the SA High Commission in New Delhi from February 2008 to March 2014.

Fick said from June to August 2013‚ while Christians was in New Delhi‚ he repeatedly helped out with visas for Gupta connections‚ including for staff for the ANN7 TV station, launched in August 2013.

During August 2013‚ Chawla sent requests to Christians for more visas.

“We allege the conduct of Tony Gupta‚ Chawla and Christians constitutes‚ but is not limited to‚ corruption and fraud crimes.”