Zuma meets Gupta brother during India trip, sparking controversy

Former South African President Jacob Zuma arrived in New Delhi this week for a series of diplomatic engagements, a trip that has revived public anger over a corruption scandal that first emerged more than a decade ago. The visit, which includes meetings with Indian officials and participation in a bilateral business forum, comes as Zuma continues to face multiple criminal charges related to alleged illicit payments tied to a 2015 arms procurement contract. Opposition parties and anti‑corruption groups have condemned the trip, arguing that it distracts from the ongoing investigations and underscores concerns about Zuma’s use of international travel to bolster his political profile.

The scandal, first reported in 2015, involves accusations that Zuma received kickbacks from a defence deal brokered through a consortium linked to the Gupta family, a case that has been central to South Africa’s broader “state‑capture” inquiries. While the Indian government has welcomed the former president’s presence as a step toward strengthening trade ties, South African civil‑society organisations have called for his immediate return to face court proceedings. The controversy surrounding the India visit highlights the tension between diplomatic outreach and domestic accountability, and it is likely to influence public discourse ahead of upcoming national elections.