Capturing South Africa

South Africa’s President Zuma is in deep trouble.

Accusations of corruption and unexplained ministerial appointments have fuelled widespread suspicions that the South African state has been “captured”. At the heart of this accusation are the Gupta brothers - a secretive family of Indian-born entrepreneurs. From modest beginnings in the 1990s, the Guptas’ South African business empire grew dramatically. Boosted, it is said, by their alleged influence over state contracts, political appointments and President Zuma himself.

In this edition of Assignment, Michael Robinson tells the story of “Guptagate” - how one of the fiercest political storms since the ending of apartheid has swept South Africa and its increasingly embattled President.

Producer: Leo Hornak

(Image: The Economic Freedom Fighters party hold a rally)