Archive · 7 Aug 2026
South African envoy to India Sooklal recalled over Zuma-Gupta meeting
A very important worker from South Africa who works in India got called back home.
His name is Anil Sooklal, and he was the country's top diplomat in India.
It happened because photographs showed him meeting two people who are in trouble.
Those people are Jacob Zuma, a former president of South Africa, and a businessman named Ajay Gupta.
The Gupta brothers are accused of being part of political corruption, and Zuma is accused of helping them while he was president from 2009 to 2018.
Both Zuma and the Gupta brothers say the accusations are not true.
The meeting took place on June 26 in a city in India called Haridwar.
South Africa's foreign minister, Ronald Lamola, said the diplomat was called back for further consultations.
Now Sooklal has to explain to his bosses at home what happened at that meeting.
South African high commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, has been recalled to headquarters for consultations.
The recall followed photographs of Sooklal meeting former president Jacob Zuma and businessman Ajay Gupta on June 26 in Haridwar.
Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed the recall at a media briefing in Pretoria on Wednesday.
Gupta and his brothers are accused of political corruption, and Zuma of extending undue favour to them during his 2009-2018 presidency.
Zuma and the Gupta brothers rejected all allegations, and the Guptas left South Africa after Zuma lost power.
- Who
- Anil Sooklal, South Africa's high commissioner to India, recalled after meeting former president Jacob Zuma and businessman Ajay Gupta.
- What
- Sooklal was recalled for consultations after photographs emerged of his meeting with Jacob Zuma and Ajay Gupta.
- When
- The recall was announced on Wednesday, August 6; the photographed meeting took place on June 26.
- Where
- The meeting was in Haridwar, India, and the recall was announced in Pretoria, South Africa.
- Why
- Because Sooklal attended a meeting with Zuma and Ajay Gupta, an Indian-origin businessman facing corruption charges in South Africa.
Accusers
Zuma and Gupta Brothers
Corruption allegations
Accusers
Gupta and his brothers are accused of political corruption, and Zuma is accused of extending undue favour to them while he was South African president from 2009 to 2018.
Zuma and Gupta Brothers
Zuma and the Gupta brothers rejected all allegations of corruption and undue favour.
- Recalled official
- Anil Sooklal, South African high commissioner to India
- Reason for recall
- Attended meeting between Jacob Zuma and Ajay Gupta; photographs emerged
- Meeting date
- June 26
- Meeting location
- Haridwar, India
- Announced by
- South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola
- Announcement date
- Wednesday, August 6
- Zuma's presidency
- 2009-2018
- Zuma's party
- African National Congress (ANC)