Ministers on Gupta mission as part of visit to the UAE
Justice Minister, Ronald Lamola, and Minister of Public Service and Administration, Senzo Mchunu, will lead a delegation of high profile South African politicians to Abu Dhabi on Monday to try and secure the extradition of the Gupta brothers.
The ministers will be attending a convention by the United Nations (UN) on anti-corruption.
However, it has been confirmed that the delegation will also seek assistance from the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to conclude an extradition treaty.
The Guptas are sought back in the country to stand trial on charges of state capture and allegations of large scale corruption and looting of state coffers.
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Spokesperson for the Justice Ministry, Chrispin Phiri, would not confirm that specific discussions will centre around the Gupta brothers, but he says it is important that bilateral agreements and exratidition treaties are reached during the visit to bring offenders to justice.
"We think that it is important that both countries settle this matter because it is in the mutual interest of both nations that we have such an agreement so we can apply such an agreement where we are called upon to do so by various law enforcement," says Phiri.
"Currently, the Uniterd Arab Emirates have not ratified their part of the agreement and for it to be operational on our side it requires them to ratify it in their parliament."
Phiri adds that the agreements will allow South African law enforcement to act against identified international criminals.
"Usually such agreements do not pertain to individuals, but they pertain particularly to law enforcement," says Phiri.