This archive report was first published on 10 October 2019.
On October 10, 2019, the US Treasury announced sanctions on the Gupta family and associate Salim Essa, labeling them a 'significant corruption network' that dispersed bribes and misappropriated millions in state funds.
The Gupta family, Indian-born and wealthy, are at the center of a judicial inquiry into rampant corruption during the nine-year administration of former South African President Jacob Zuma.
According to Sigal Mandelker, Treasury under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, the Gupta family 'leveraged its political connections to engage in widespread corruption and bribery, capture government contracts, and misappropriate state assets.'
The sanctions, placed under the US Global Magnitsky Act, immediately freeze any assets the blacklisted individuals have under US jurisdiction and forbid Americans and US businesses from transactions with them.
The US Treasury expressed its support for South Africa's anti-corruption efforts, stating, 'Today's sanctions announcement demonstrates the US government's unwavering commitment to supporting the rule of law and accountability in South Africa.'
