By Theodorah Waga Mawasha
PRETORIA-Justice Minister Ronald Lamola and National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi, announced on Monday afternoon that the Republic of South Africa has started the formal process to have the infamous Gupta brothers extradited to South Africa to stand trial.
This comes after the pair Rajesh and Atul Gupta were arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in June. If extradited the duo will stand trial for criminal charges ranging from racketeering, fraud and money laundering.
The NPA said that the submission request for the arrest and extradition of the brothers is a huge milestone in their commitment to hold accountable perpetrators of state capture and to uphold the rule of law.
“As the process unfolds and the extradition application is heard in UAE courts, the NPA will continue to collaborate and support it’s counterparts in the UAE to ensure that the Gupta brothers are extradited to face justice in South Africa,” she said.
“The process could however take several months and the NPA commits to deliver for impact as the country demands “, Batohi continued.
Minister Lamola reiterated Batohi’s stance and said that the process strengthens the resolve to be the lawyers of the people and seek collective justice for the country.
