The reason the Guptas have not been charged for corruption is because the police organs are controlled by President Jacob Zuma, who has been captured by the Guptas.<\/p>\n
These claims, which the Presidency and the Guptas have repeatedly denied, were made by Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane on Wednesday in an exclusive interview with Fin24 in his parliamentary office in Cape Town.<\/p>\n
The Guptas have often said they have never been formally charged and believe they are victims in a political battle.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo charge has ever been brought against us,\u201d the Guptas said in a statement last Friday. \u201cWe repeat the challenge to our detractors \u2013 if you have evidence against us, please bring it. Otherwise, please leave us alone. We have no interest in politics, only business.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the Guptas are correct to say the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) or the South African Police Service (SAPS) have not officially opened a case against them, that doesn\u2019t mean people haven\u2019t been pressing charges with the police.<\/p>\n
In March, the Democratic Alliance laid criminal charges of corruption against Atul and Ajay Gupta following allegations that members of the Guptas had offered cabinet positions to at least two ANC members in exchange for executive decisions favourable and beneficial to the Guptas\u2019 business interests.<\/p>\n
Former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor – who claims the Guptas offered her a ministerial post – also laid charges of corruption against Zuma and the Guptas.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Maimane said in a statement that he wrote to acting national police commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane, to ask him to explain why the SAPS is dragging its feet in proceeding with the criminal charges laid by the DA.<\/p>\n
Later, he told Fin24 why he believed no charges had been initiated.<\/p>\n
\u201cOften people say that the Guptas have captured the state,\u201d he said. \u201cNo. The Guptas have only captured Jacob Zuma.<\/p>\n
\u201cJacob Zuma has worked on a systematic project to capture state institutions,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe started with the National Prosecuting Authority, he has worked his way through the SABC and state-owned enterprises and now more critically to sustain a project such as the nuclear deal or massive infrastructure project, you need quick access to Treasury.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course there can be no charges against the Guptas, because \u2026 they have not captured the state, they have only captured by Jacob Zuma,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut if you control organs of state such as the NPA and the Hawks, of course there aren’t going to be charges against this particular family.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere is a family with businesses who have been highly favoured for reasons inexplicable,\u201d he said. \u201cMore seriously, the South African taxpayer has been defrauded of millions of rands.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fin24<\/a><\/p>\n Treasury blocks Eskom\u2019s R855 million Gupta coal contract<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Mines minister wanted the finance minister to control bank licences after Gupta blacklisting \u2013 report<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore on the Guptas<\/h3>\n