India’s diaspora relationship with South Africa has long been one of romance, the fervor of an off-board train passenger who would later lead us to independence from foreign rule. With the arrests of Atul and Rajesh Gupta in Dubai this week, a unifying chapter may be added to that fictional tale of the relationship. Along with his brother Ajay, two Indian-origin business tycoons are accused of crony capitalism that made them rich with billions of dollars. The Gupta brothers are accused of allegedly duping the state through contracts in collusion with the South African administration led by Jacob Zuma for nine years until 2018. Owners of an empire that extended to dairy farms and coal mines moved from Johannesburg to Dubai when Zuma lost power. A new regime in Pretoria under Cyril Ramaphosa has sought his extradition. political vendetta? Or exposed corruption?
The Gupta trio denied wrongdoing, but their business record points to suspicious transactions in South Africa. His corruption trap charges could also add up to a case of “capture of the state”. No wonder they are in global glare right now. We can only sigh and hope that no country will ever succumb to greed so badly.