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The Gupta brothers are heavily involved in the state capture and are believed to be living in Dubai.
FILE: Hermione Cronje. Image: YouTube screenshot.
CAPE TOWN – The head of the NPA’s Investigative Directorate said that the fact that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) did not cooperate with South African law enforcement agencies did not mean that the Gupta brothers would ultimately not be brought to the account.
The Gupta brothers are heavily involved in the state capture and are believed to be living in Dubai.
Hermione Cronje was answering questions from members of Parliament’s justice committee during an NPA briefing about her performance to date since new director Shamila Batohi took office last year.
Cronje told Parliament that trying to get help from the United Arab Emirates had been a frustrating experience.
Cronje was asked if the UAE’s lack of cooperation in mutual legal assistance meant that the ability of the NPA and the police to proceed against the Gupta brothers would depend on their voluntary return to South Africa.
Cronje said the following: “Does that mean there will be no responsibility? The answer is no. It will take longer, but the member is correct in saying that there are other ways to skin this cat, and yes, it is true that the US has jurisdiction over all dollar transactions and certainly those are avenues that we have explored.
“There are other tricks we have up our sleeves as well and you will see that soon.
“But it has been a frustrating experience trying to get the cooperation of the UAE and we have put it on the table.”
Cronje said the NPA’s jurisdiction ended at the country’s borders and that it should depend on the Justice Department to request help from foreign law enforcement agencies in terms of evidence, repatriation of funds and extradition of defendants.
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