The Gupta family is a wealthy and influential business family from India, with close ties to former South African President Jacob Zuma and his administration. The family's most notable members are the brothers Ajay, Atul, and Rajesh "Tony" Gupta—as well as Atul's nephews Varun, and US-based Ashish and Amol. The family's business empire in South Africa spanned a variety of industries, including mining, media, and technology. The family name has become synonymous with corruption in South Africa as well as undue influence, and state capture. They have been sanctioned by multiple countries for their activities, with investigations ongoing in both South Africa and the United States. Many prominent South Africans and politicians have been linked to the family's alleged corrupt activities, including members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party. The Gupta family has since fled South Africa and has been spotted in Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Vanuatu.
A protest placard depicting Atul Gupta at a Zuma Must Fall protest in Cape Town. The slogan "#Not My President" on the placard explicitly links Atul Gupta with President Zuma.
Waterkloof Air Force Base where the Jet Airways plane landed in April 2013, sparking the Guptagate controversy
Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is a South African politician who served as the fourth president of South Africa from 2009 to 2018. He is also referred to by his initials JZ and clan names Nxamalala and Msholozi. Zuma was a former anti-apartheid activist, member of uMkhonto we Sizwe, and president of the African National Congress (ANC) from 2007 to 2017.
Zuma in 2009
Zuma with the Indian Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in Johannesburg, 2004
A crowd of supporters and curious onlookers outside the Johannesburg High Court during the rape trial
Zuma in June 2008