A
private jet used by a business family at the heart of corruption
allegations against former South African president Jacob Zuma was
grounded Monday 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.
AFP
0 comments:
Post a Comment