The South African government has cleared its High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, of any breach of protocol after a controversy over his appearance at a temple event in India alongside former president Jacob Zuma and businessman Ajay Gupta, who faces corruption-related allegations in South Africa.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said its position on private visits by former heads of state remains that “routine assistance” provided by the High Commission does not amount to authorisation “to represent the government of the republic or advance official interests”. It also said it has recommended a mechanism to ensure such engagements are assessed for possible reputational, political, diplomatic or security risks.
In a statement on Wednesday, DIRCO said it had completed internal consultations with Sooklal and found that the envoy had extended customary protocol support to Zuma, but did not facilitate any substantive engagement between Zuma and Ajay Gupta. Sooklal, who had earlier been recalled for “consultations”, is reported to have returned to his post in India. DIRCO minister Ronald Lamola had sought an explanation after images of Sooklal, Zuma and Gupta at a temple function in Haridwar in June surfaced online and triggered an outcry in South Africa.
Gupta, along with his brothers Anil and Rajesh, left South Africa on the eve of Zuma’s removal by his own African National Congress party in 2018 amid allegations of corruption. Members of the Gupta family are accused of “state capture”, including allegedly siphoning off billions of rands from South African state-owned entities through their close association with Zuma. South Africa is still trying to secure the extradition of some members of the Gupta family from Dubai, where they were reported to be living with their families, though authorities said there was no extradition order against Ajay Gupta. DIRCO said, “Whilst Mr (Ajay) Gupta is not subject to an extradition request by South Africa, DIRCO continues to facilitate cooperation between South African law enforcement authorities and the Indian authorities in respect of mutual legal assistance requests and other ongoing legal processes involving members of the Gupta family.”
Explaining Sooklal’s role, DIRCO said, “On June 19, 2026, the Presidency informed DIRCO of the forthcoming private visit by former president Jacob Zuma to the Republic of India and requested assistance with the necessary protocol and logistical arrangements.” It said that, in line with established practice for all former presidents, the South African High Commission in New Delhi was asked to provide customary support. According to the statement, the Mission did not facilitate any substantive engagement between Zuma and Ajay Gupta during the visit. It said the assistance was limited to “protocol, administrative and logistical support” ordinarily extended through official channels, including ceremonial lounge arrangements, airport courtesies, liaison with host government authorities and related travel facilitation. DIRCO added that Zuma was received on arrival by the high commissioner and a designated Mission official in line with established protocol, and similar assistance was provided at departure.
On the Haridwar religious event, DIRCO said Sooklal attended separately in his capacity as Head of Mission after receiving an independent invitation from the organisers. It said he did not accompany Zuma or Gupta, and although Gupta was among around 1,000 invited guests, the high commissioner reported no direct interaction with him. “The department’s assessment is that the Mission’s role was confined to ceremonial reception and departure arrangements, as well as attendance at a public religious event for which the high commissioner had been independently invited in his official capacity,” the statement said. It added, “The information available indicates that the Mission did not arrange, facilitate or participate in any private meetings involving former president Zuma and Mr Gupta.”
The Gupta brothers, who are from Uttar Pradesh, built a business empire in IT, mining and media after moving to South Africa in the early 1990s. About a decade ago, they were accused of using their close ties with then president Zuma to influence government decisions and profit from the relationship in what later came to be known as the “state capture” scandal. The brothers and Zuma denied any wrongdoing. With its latest statement, DIRCO has said Sooklal’s role was limited to routine official support and attendance at a public event, and that no improper engagement was facilitated during Zuma’s private visit to India.
With PTI Inputs
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