Probe into how Gupta guests arrived

THE South African Revenue Service is investigating how about 200 Indian wedding guests of the influential Gupta family were allowed into the country without clearing customs.

A staff member at the Waterkloof Air Force base said they were told the guests were “royalty” and that no questions were to be asked in terms of why civilians were landing there.

“There were, from what we could see, no government officials on board,” said the SA Air Force member who asked not to be identified.

But SARS announced yesterday they were investigating how the chartered flight was given permission to land at the Air Force facility without customs officers present.

SARS spokesman Adrian Lackay confirmed that although the guests had their passports stamped, no one inspected their baggage.

“SARS is investigating the circumstances that led to this situation,” he told the Daily Dispatch.

The privately chartered Airbus A330-203 from Jet Airlines in India landed at the military base just east of Pretoria on Tuesday morning.

Under usual South African protocol rules, only heads of state are allowed to land at Waterkloof . Other VIPs usually land at OR Tambo, which has a VIP reception centre.

The ANC, SACP and Cosatu all demanded yesterday to know who authorised the landing.

Police ministry spokesman, Zweli Mnisi, said minister Nathi Mthethwa did not authorise the blue-light escort of VIP protection officers for the guests .

Most guests were whisked away in a police escorted convoy of white Land Rovers to Sun City – where the four-day wedding is taking place – while others were flown out in helicopters and private jets.

“This goes against everything an Air Force base is about – it is only the strictest of emergencies that civilians can land here or if they are presidents, kings and queens, not because they are friends of the President,” the Air Force officer said.

As guests started with festivities at Lost City Palace for the wedding of Vega Gupta, 23, and Aakash Jahajgarhia, 23, from India, outrage erupted over what seems to be special treatment for the politically-aligned Gupta family.

Vega is the daughter of Achla Gupta, who is the sister of the brothers known to be close friends of President Jacob Zuma.

“The Air Force is not an independent arm of the Defence Force operating on its own. Its chief would have received instructions from his chief – in this case the SANDF chief, General Solly Shoke – who would have received instructions from his chief, the Minister of Defence,” said an independent defence expert.

Sonwabo Mbananga, spokesman for Minister of Defence Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, yesterday said: “Unequivically, the minister never authorised such a thing”.

Gupta family spokesman Gary Naidoo insisted in a brief statement that permission was obtained from the SANDF to use the base by the Indian High Commission, and not the family .

Opposition DA MP Dianne Kohler- Barnard said the departments of police, defence and home affairs had some serious questions to answer.

“The Guptas are supporters of the ANC and their friends are in Cabinet and will also be sitting at the wedding. For the ANC to say ‘I’m shocked’ is the most cynical statement I have heard in 10 years,” she said.