South Africa plans new rules on ex-leaders' foreign trips after Zuma's visit to India
Jacob Zuma was pictured with a businessmen allegedly at the heart of a corruption scandal in South Africa
South Africa intends to implement new regulations concerning former leaders' international travel, prompted by an incident involving ex-President Jacob Zuma's recent visit to India.
The South African government has experienced embarrassment due to former President Jacob Zuma's overseas journeys.
South Africa's foreign minister is advocating for new regulations and "enhanced transparency" regarding foreign trips undertaken by former heads of state.
This recommendation to parliament follows a contentious visit to India last month by former President Jacob Zuma. During this trip, he met with one of the businessmen allegedly central to a significant corruption scandal that contributed to the downfall of his administration.
The controversy surrounding his meeting with Ajay Gupta led one minister to assert that Zuma was displaying the "middle finger" to South Africa.
Approximately a decade ago, the Gupta brothers were accused of leveraging their close ties to then-President Zuma for profit and influencing South African policy. Both parties consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The Gupta family departed South Africa in 2018 after a judicial commission initiated an investigation into allegations of their involvement in extensive fraud, commonly referred to as "state capture."
**Who are the Guptas?**
In 2022, the commission concluded that Zuma had appointed and dismissed ministers crucial to the nation's economic management at the behest of the Gupta family.
South African authorities ultimately rescinded their arrest warrant for Ajay Gupta. The two younger Gupta brothers, Atul and Rajesh, traveled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where a court in 2023 rejected South Africa's extradition request for them.
Zuma has since been expelled from the African National Congress (ANC), the party he once led, and now heads the opposition uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK).
During Zuma's visit to India, a photograph of the 84-year-old South African politician and Ajay Gupta was taken at an Indian temple.
South Africa's high commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, was also pictured with the two individuals and has since been recalled. The diplomat has denied any wrongdoing.
Foreign Affairs Minister Ronald Lamola stated that his department had submitted a recommendation to parliament and the president's office for new protocols governing former heads of state during foreign trips.
He explained at a briefing on Wednesday that they would be required to "provide full details" on upcoming trips to allow for "an informed assessment of the appropriate level of support required and any associated reputational, political, diplomatic or security risks."
This is not the first instance of Zuma's foreign visits sparking controversy.
Last year, he visited Morocco and voiced support for the North African nation's claim over the disputed territory of Western Sahara – a stance South Africa opposes.
Zuma undertook the trip as the MK leader but was photographed in front of the South African flag when he met Morocco's foreign minister and raised the issue of Western Sahara.
South Africa condemned the visit and lodged a formal diplomatic protest with Morocco regarding the matter.
**Zuma - South Africa's political wildcard**
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**Behind the 'Zuma tsunami' in South Africa**
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