Overview
- The Department of International Relations and Cooperation completed its internal consultations and formally cleared Ambassador Anil Sooklal on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, over his conduct during Jacob Zuma’s private trip to India in late June.
- DIRCO said the South African High Commission in New Delhi limited its role to standard protocol, administrative and logistical support such as ceremonial lounge arrangements, airport courtesies, liaison with host authorities, and travel facilitation.
- The High Commissioner attended a public religious event in Haridwar after a separate invitation and reported no direct interaction with businessman Ajay Gupta, with DIRCO saying the mission did not arrange or facilitate any private meetings between Zuma and Gupta.
- DIRCO reiterated that Ajay Gupta is not the subject of an extradition request from South Africa and that the department will continue to support mutual legal assistance and other ongoing legal cooperation with Indian authorities in cases involving the Gupta family.
- The department proposed a new safeguard to assess reputational, diplomatic and security risks for trips by former senior officials, a response shaped by public sensitivity to the Gupta era and by long-running allegations that the Gupta family used ties to Zuma to influence state business.