High Commissioner Anil Sooklal cleared by DIRCO, returns to India - Sources
South African High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, has resumed his duties after being cleared by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). The investigation followed controversy regarding his presence at an event attended by businessman Anil Gupta during a visit by former president Jacob Zuma.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing political scrutiny surrounding former President Jacob Zuma and his associations with the controversial Gupta family.
Ask AI 2 min Sources say DIRCO cleared Anil Sooklal, who returned to India after the controversy over Jacob Zuma’s visit and Anil Gupta.
Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers
South Africa’s High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, has returned to his post following a meeting with senior DIRCO officials over former president Jacob Zuma’s controversial visit to that country in June.
Following the visit, questions over his presence at an event where controversial businessman Anil Gupta was also pictured began to surface, forcing DIRCO to issue a public statement and seek clarity from Sooklal.
However, sources have indicated that Sooklal has been cleared and has resumed his duties in India.
While DIRCO has remained silent on the matter, it has been established that Sooklal met with senior departmental officials on the sidelines of the recently held SADC Summit in Durban.
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