S African court orders grounding of Gupta jet

A private jet used by a business family at the heart of corruption allegations against former South African president Jacob Zuma was grounded today by a court order, local media reported.

The whereabouts of the Bombadier Global 6000 jet is unknown, but the High Court in Johannesburg ordered that it must be landed and kept at the Lanseria airport outside the city.

The SABC state broadcaster reported the court ruling, saying that the Guptas had been leasing the jet and that the family were banned from using it.

The court gave the Guptas 15 days to hand over the luxury jet.

Export Development Canada (EDC), Canada's state-run trade credit agency, petitioned the court alleging the controversial family's businesses had defaulted on a $41-million (33-million) loan for the plane.

EDC also said it feared that the plane could be used to commit criminal offences.

The Indian-born Gupta family has been accused of corrupt dealings with Zuma, allegedly benefiting from favourable government contracts and mining deals.

The brothers are facing police investigations, while Zuma resigned last month under pressure from ANC ruling party lawmakers after a nine-year reign tainted by fraud scandals.