Motsoaledi welcomes decision to reject Atul Gupta’s passport renewal

Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has welcomed Friday’s judgment by the High Court in Pretoria which agreed with the department’s decision to reject an application to renew a passport by State Capture accused Atul Gupta.

The court said that Gupta was a fugitive and did not qualify for a South African passport.

In September 2018, having fled South Africa amid the so called ‘Gupta Leaks’, Atul approached the consul-general of South Africa in Dubai to apply for a passport.

The department rejected his application following confirmation from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) that a warrant of arrest had been issued against him in connection with alleged fraud and money-laundering related to the Vrede Dairy Project.

Motsoaledi says criminals shouldn’t get the convenience of having the passport of the country they fled.

“Why should you run away from a particular country, but then still get the benefits from that country- benefits which law abiding citizens are getting? Why should people be law abiding if they know that those that are not law abiding can still have benefits? Yes, if you’re a fugitive we will definitely refuse to give you a passport.”

VIDEO |Home Affairs welcomes court judgment in Atul Gupta’s passport application case: