The New York Times catches up with Ajay Gupta

EDINBURGH — The Gupta brothers got away with helping the Zuma family to plunder state coffers, building a massive business empire on the back of 'state capture'. After at least a decade of drawing on ANC contacts and fuelling political tension, Ajay Gupta rose to become one of South Africa's richest people. As Jacob Zuma was removed from power by the ANC, the Gupta family fled from justice. Ajay Gupta has given a rare interview to The New York Times in which he reveals that he remains unrepentant about the family's involvement in damaging South Africa's political establishment. He, unexpectedly, denies all wrong-doing, including offering golden handcuffs to – and threatening to kill – Mcebisi Jonas to persuade him to sway decisions as a finance minister in the favour of the Gupta family. – Jackie Cameron

By Thulasizwe Sithole

Ajay Gupta, arguably among the most-hated men in South Africa for his role in corrupting the ANC and raiding state coffers, has given a rare interview to journalists. Speaking from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Gupta told The New York Times that he has been obsessively following "the news from home" with increasing frustration.

"Nearly every day for the past couple of months, witnesses at a high-profile inquiry on corruption have painted his family as the masterminds of the government looting that has engulfed the nation," the publication tells its readers.

"The accusations infuriate him. But Mr. Gupta and his two brothers, who left South Africa early this year when President Jacob Zuma was forced out of power, have no plans to go back and give their side of the story — at least not yet. They say they fear wrongful arrests if they return to South Africa, a country where their power appeared uncontested less than a year ago.

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