Decision to prosecute Guptas' lies with NPA, S.African Police: Justice Minister

South Africa's Justice Minister Jeff Radebe has said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and police in South Africa will be the deciding authority on whether to prosecute or not to prosecute the well-connected Gupta family for allowing their plane to land at the strategic and sensitive Waterkloof Air Force base for the wedding of Vega Gupta and Indian-born Aakash Jahajgarhia at Sun City.

The plane carried 270 guests, including Vega Gupta and Aakash Jahajgarhia, News 24 reports.

Radebe said the decision by the NPA would be taken without fear, preferences or prejudice, where even the minister cannot interfere in prosecutorial decisions.

According to the report, the case has drawn widespread condemnation as the Gupta family had resorted to the use of diplomatic channels with the support of an individual in the Indian High Commission, after their talks with the Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and her adviser did not work in their favour.

Radebe claimed that the person in the high commission wrongly told his diplomatic contacts that the wedding party was an official delegation so that the family can use the base under the cover of diplomatic privilege.

According to findings by a panel of ministers probing the matter, the private jet was cleared to land at the base and correct clearance procedures were followed 'based on information provided by Chief of State Protocol Bruce Koloane, who acted in contravention of existing diplomatic protocol and Waterkloof's officer commanding movement control, Lt. Col. C Anderson.

Radebe also said that the lack of vigilance of Metro police officers justified the public criticism they received as they carried their firearms outside their jurisdiction and drove vehicles fitted illegally with blue lights, pushing people off the road, causing delays and inconveniencing commuters.

The law enforcement officers, he added, should have taken charge of the convoy to Sun City as 121 vehicles deployed on the roads by the event organizer caused inconvenience to masses and put their safety at risk. Radebe also confirmed that 296 security officers, two fixed-wing aircraft and seven helicopters were organized and funded by the Gupta family to bring their guests to Sun City.

Radebe further said that while all black BMWs, Range Rovers and two Mercedes Benz used in the convoys had similar registration numbers, three BMWs had false registration numbers and should not have been permitted on the road.

While the investigation report also confirmed that 194 government personnel and 88 government vehicles were deployed during the operation, International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane claimed that the incident will not affect relations between South Africa and India.

Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor confirmed that Guptas' citizenship will not be withdrawn, as acquiring citizenship by fraudulent means or by false declaration risks losing citizenship but infraction of some kind in South Africa leads to law charges.