UAE Ratifies Treaty as South Africa Pursues Gupta Brothers

(Bloomberg) -- The United Arab Emirates ratified an extradition treaty with South Africa, which is seeking the extradition of three brothers accused of corruption.

The treaty was signed on April 11, the U.A.E. Embassy said in a statement on Wednesday. Clayson Monyela, a spokesman for the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation, confirmed the statement.

South Africa’s government asked the U.A.E. in 2018 to extradite members of the Gupta family, who’ve been accused by the authorities of using their links with former President Jacob Zuma to secure deals to loot state-owned companies. President Cyril Ramaphosa has estimated that more than 500 billion rand ($37 billion) was stolen from the state during Zuma’s rule.

The Guptas, some of whom reside in the emirate of Dubai, deny any wrongdoing.

Last week, South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority said it will ask Interpol to assist with the execution of arrest warrants for Atul and Rajesh Gupta and their spouses, along with four other people.

The U.S. Treasury in October 2019 imposed sanctions on brothers Atul, Ajay and Rajesh Gupta and a fourth businessman, who it said were members of a “significant corruption network” in South Africa. The U.K. government announced in April it also plans to impose travel restrictions and asset freezes on the three brothers.

Sindisiwe Seboka, a spokeswoman for the National Prosecuting Authority, didn’t answer calls seeking comment. the UAE’s Foreign Ministry said by email it would respond later to a request for comment.

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