by OFIEBEA QUIST-ARCTON
The wedding party poses at the Sun City resort in South Africa, on Wednesday. South Africa’s government announced the suspension of a slew of officials and military personnel on Friday as it tried to limit the political and diplomatic fallout from the lavish Indian wedding. PHOTO/Gupta Family via AFP/Getty Images/PBS
It’s been dubbed Guptagate. The real-life story reads like a Hollywood — or Bollywood — script, and it’s dominating the national conversation in South Africa.
It starts with a high-society wedding in South Africa, organized by three wealthy, well-connected and influential brothers named Gupta from India. Then the scandal begins: A private jet flies in 200 guests — including Bollywood stars — from India, landing at a restricted air force security base in Pretoria, allegedly without the appropriate clearance.
A flashing, blue-light escort ferries the convoy from the airbase to a luxury resort for the marriage of a 23-year-old niece. Next come allegations of racism. The wedding guests allegedly refused to be served or driven by black African staff, preferring white or Asian personnel.
The event is threatening to have potentially for South Africa and India. Indian diplomats are being questioned about their alleged role in what the South African government is calling a national “breach of security.”
A Diplomatic Incident
“We have a diplomatic incident at hand,” said Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Cooperation. An Indian official allegedly arranged landing permits with airbase commanders, an act Nkoana-Mashabane describes as a flagrant breach of protocol.
“It is not normal that an official at an embassy goes to a government entity and starts soliciting permits,” she said.
PBS for more
(Thanks to reader)