[imagesource: Gallo Images]

It might be a drop in the ocean compared to the cost of State Capture (at least R50 billion, by some calculations), but at least the Guptas have had a crummy Friday afternoon.

That’s because the National Prosecuting Authorities’ Investigating Directorate (ID) has now seized assets worth more than R520 million belonging, in part, to the Gupta family, as well as family business associate Iqbal Sharma, and his wife, Tarina Patel.

A court order granted the ID permission to preserve the assets of Islandsite Investments, Sharma, and Patel.

The Gupta-owned Oakbay Investments, which is around 40% owned by Islandsite Investments, owns the Saxonwold Gupta mansion, as well as the family home in Constantia.

News24 reports that the seizure includes luxury properties in Jozi and Cape Town:

Patel owns a palatial mansion in Morningside, Johannesburg, which she bought for about R19 million in 2018. The property is complete with Indian-themed interior decor and elephants carved out of marble, and carpets imported from India. The house featured on Top Billing in February 2019.

Here’s that segment, if you would like a gander:

Sharma was arrested on Wednesday, in connection with the failed R288 million Estina dairy project in Vrede in the Free State.

Here’s something else that may bring a smile to your face:

On Thursday, the ID has also issued a red notice – an international arrest warrant – for Gupta brothers Atul, Ajay and Rajesh. Interpol is expected to circulate the red notice to its member countries.

The ID wants to have them deported back to South Africa to be charged with fraud, corruption and money laundering in connection with the Estina dairy farm project.

I don’t hold high hopes that we’ll ever get the Gupta brothers deported back to South Africa to stand trial, but it hopefully makes them squirm a little.

[source:news24]