That’s according to Ronald Lamola, anyway. Responding to a set of Parliamentary questions on Wednesday, the Justice Minister disclosed the information to fellow senior politicians. The UAE Government is keeping its South African counterparts in the loop – and it seems that the prospects of an extradition remain healthy. The Guptas are considered central figures in state capture, having allegedly used their proximity to former president Jacob Zuma to unduly profit to the tune of billions from lucrative government contracts.

The family fled South Africa in 2018, shortly after Zuma left office. Atul and Rajesh Gupta were arrested in Dubai two months ago. Then, on Monday, 25 July, Lamola stated that a request for the Gupta brothers’ extradition was issued to and received by UAE authorities from the National Director of Public Prosecutions. The wheels of justice have been turning slowly since this last update – but that doesn’t mean things have stalled completely. As revealed by Mr. Lamola, the Guptas are feeling the full might of the law in the Gulf State. He confirmed that a ‘note verbale’ had been issued by the UAE, informing the Justice Ministry about their status.

This formal confirmation comes as a shot in the arm for SA law enforcement authorities, who are desperate to bring the billionaires back to Mzansi so they can face the music. “We have received a note verbale which is a formal confirmation by the UAE government authorities that the two Gupta brothers are in their cells. They’ve also informed us that they’ve attempted on several occasions to apply for bail and their bail was denied.”