MK Party says Zuma free to meet Ajay Gupta at India religious event

Jacob Zuma

Pretoria – MK Party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu has reportedly defended former president Jacob Zuma after he was photographed alongside fugitive Gupta brother Ajay Gupta at a Hindu temple in Haridwar, India.

According to IOL, Mahlangu said Zuma, as a private citizen, was free to travel and attend religious gatherings, noting that he had been visiting the annual event for years and maintained a longstanding relationship with the temple’s priest.

“President Jacob Zuma is a private citizen and is entitled to travel wherever he chooses. His visit to India is not unprecedented. He has attended this annual event for many years, dating back to around 2012, and has a longstanding relationship with Priest Abhinav Ungamuthu,” the report quoted Mahlangu as saying.

He dismissed criticism over Ajay Gupta’s presence, saying it was not the MK Party’s responsibility if a Gupta family member attended the same religious event.

“If a member of the Gupta family attended a religious event where two other former Heads of State were attending, it is not the problem of uMkhonto weSizwe Party.”

Insisting Zuma had done nothing unlawful, Mahlangu said the former president was “not undermining anything” and remained free to attend any religious gathering of his choice.

Zuma described Gupta as his “friend” and “brother” during the visit and said the trip was arranged through a spiritual connection, explaining that Gupta had introduced him to a “man of God.”

“I feel I am going to win the elections because the people of God have been with me,” Zuma said in a video circulating on social media.

 He added: “I think he has given me some power, he has given me not just some power, but he has given me (inspiration) that I should once again take our people where they are supposed to be.”

Zuma said the spiritual engagement had renewed his confidence ahead of upcoming elections. “I think he has been with me in the very heavy areas,” he said.

He also defended his association with the Gupta family, saying they had been unfairly targeted in South Africa. “Because of some people in South Africa who were not happy with what they were doing in the country… they decided to say he must leave the country,” Zuma said, referring to Ajay Gupta.

The visit has revived debate in South Africa over Zuma’s continued relationship with the Gupta family, who are central figures in long-running “state capture” allegations, The Citizen said.

Zuma, however, maintained that his ties were personal and not political or business-related.

The presence of a senior South African diplomat during the visit has also raised questions, with government yet to comment on the official’s role, reports said.

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