South Africa's Foreign Minister: No More Unchecked Trips for Ex-Leaders

• South Africa's foreign minister recommends new rules for former heads of state undertaking foreign trips.
• The move comes after ex-President Jacob Zuma's visit to India sparked outrage over his meeting with Ajay Gupta, a businessman at the center of a massive corruption scandal.
• The Gupta family has been accused of profiting from their close links to Zuma and influencing South African policy for over a decade.

The recommendation to parliament follows a controversial visit to India last month by ex-President Jacob Zuma where he met one of the businessmen allegedly at the heart of a huge corruption scandal that played a role in bringing down his government.

South Africa's foreign minister, Ronald Lamola, has recommended new rules for former heads of state undertaking foreign trips, following a recent controversy surrounding ex-President Jacob Zuma's visit to India. The trip sparked outrage after Zuma was pictured with Ajay Gupta, one of the businessmen at the center of a massive corruption scandal that led to his government's downfall. This is not the first time Zuma's foreign visits have caused controversy, as he also faced criticism for meeting Morocco's foreign minister and speaking in support of Western Sahara, a disputed territory that South Africa opposes. The Gupta family has been accused of profiting from their close links to Zuma and influencing South African policy, with allegations dating back over a decade.

The recommendation for new rules comes as the South African authorities continue to investigate the Gupta family's alleged involvement in massive fraud. In 2022, a judicial commission concluded that Zuma had hired and fired ministers at the behest of the Gupta family. Ajay Gupta remains a wanted figure in South Africa, with international arrest warrants issued in connection with fraud and corruption charges. The two younger Gupta brothers, Atul and Rajesh, are currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where a court turned down a South African request to extradite them in 2023. This development has sparked concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in South Africa's foreign policy.

The new rules proposed by Lamola aim to increase transparency and scrutiny of former heads of state undertaking foreign trips, which could have significant implications for South African politicians and business leaders. As the country continues to grapple with corruption and governance issues, the introduction of these new protocols could help mitigate reputational risks associated with high-profile visits abroad. However, critics argue that the move may be too little, too late, given the long history of controversy surrounding Zuma's foreign trips.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for potential reputational risks for South African politicians and business leaders who undertake foreign trips, as the new rules may lead to increased scrutiny and transparency requirements.

Source: Original reporting via BBC