The Rise and Fall of the Guptas – In Cartoons

In barely two months the Gupta family has gone from being the alleged darling of President Jacob Zuma – apparently able to manipulate business deals with government and get cabinet ministers appointed, according to media reports – to suddenly taking flight from South Africa last Thursday with a mountain of luggage, headed for Dubai.

In the past few weeks, numerous financial institutions have cut ties with the Guptas’ Oakbay company, making it almost impossible to do business in the country and leading two of the brothers to give up their board positions at the company, according to news reports.

ZANews also “reported” on the closing circle of companies ready to do business with the Guptas:

Even though the Gupta family – brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh – settled in South Africa in 1993, it was 10 years later, in 2013, that they suddenly came to public fame (or infamy) for landing a jet with 200 passengers heading for a family wedding in Sun City at Waterkloof Air Force Base.

Cartoonist Zapiro has had them firmly in his sights for a long time.

Media reports about the Guptas and their influence have been mounting steadily since then, with reports – often denied – of their friendship with Zuma getting them untold favours and contracts, and allowing them to influence the appointment of cabinet ministers.

In late March comedian Deep Fried Man released “Gupta Bling”, his version of Drake’s huge-selling song “Hotline Bling”, but this time it was about Zuma not getting called back by the Guptas anymore.