Guptas Deny Report They’re Leaving South Africa for Dubai

The Gupta family, who have recently come under severe attack by politicians and the media for reportedly receiving preferential treatment and financial breaks in South Africa because of their close relationship with President Jacob Zuma, have denied a report they are leaving South Africa for Dubai.

In an emailed statement to Fin24, a representative for Oakbay Investments, the holding company for the Gupta family’s businesses in South Africa, reportedly said the company is pursuing legal action against those publishing “these false allegations”.

Africa Confidential earlier on Friday quoted several African National Congress insiders, saying the three Gupta brothers, Ajay, Atul and Rejesh Gupta, were in the process of moving to the United Arab Emirates.

The Guptas have come under increased attention in the last two months, especially after Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, said they must leave the country. He also said at the time that his party could not protect journalists associated with the Gupta media outlets ANN7 TV and the New Age newspaper if they attended EFF events.

Africa Confidential recently reported that the finance minister Nhlanhla Nene was fired over his resistance to a multibillion-rand nuclear deal that would have benefitted the Guptas.

Atul Gupta reportedly arrived in South Africa from Uttar Pradesh, India, in 1993. He and his brothers Rajesh and Ajay have built on a computer business Sahara (no connection to the other Indian Sahara company) to amass stakes in uranium, gold and coal mines, a luxury game lodge, an engineering company, and the two media outlets, according to news reports. They have also had dealings with Zuma’s son, Duduzane.