Gupta man makes costly demands

Gupta associate Ashu Chawla has made a string of demands to parliament if MPs want him to appear before the inquiry into the early naturalisation of Gupta family members.

Home affairs portfolio committee chair Hlomane Chauke revealed on Tuesday that his committee had received correspondence from Chawla’s lawyer saying his client was willing to appear before the inquiry but was currently in India taking care of his mother.

To attend the inquiry‚ Chawla wants parliament to fly him business class from New Delhi and get a Hindi interpreter for his testimony.

Chauke revealed that when parliament’s administration followed up on the request‚ they realised that a business class return ticket would cost a whopping R177,000.

“We do not have R177,000. We don’t have that money.”

An incensed Chauke said he found it odd that Chawla‚ a SA citizen for 17 years‚ wanted a Hindi interpreter.

“He wrote a detailed letter to the minister in English‚ but today we hear he can’t speak and wants a Hindi interpreter.”

Chauke said the committee would wait for Chawla to return to SA‚ possibly at the end of November as indicated by his lawyer. It would schedule a meeting as soon as he landed.

Chawla has been named as the man at the centre of the early naturalisation of Gupta family members as he allegedly facilitated hundreds of permits and visas for the family.

The inquiry continues. –