Parliament Backs High Commissioner After Diplomatic Conduct Inquiry Concludes

PARLIAMENT CLEARS HIGH COMMISSIONER IN ZUMA-GUPTA INDIA VISIT INQUIRY

The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation has endorsed the findings of a departmental investigation into the conduct of South African High Commissioner Prof Anil Sooklal, closing a chapter that had raised questions about diplomatic propriety and the use of official resources during a private visit to India in late June 2026.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) determined that Prof Sooklal did not arrange, facilitate or participate in any private meetings between former President Jacob Zuma and businessman Ajay Gupta during that period. The investigation examined two specific incidents: assistance provided at a protocol lounge in Mumbai on 25 June, and the High Commissioner’s attendance at a religious ceremony in Haridwar.

DIRCO’s findings are precise on both counts. The protocol lounge assistance constituted standard diplomatic protocol extended to former Heads of State. The Haridwar ceremony attendance arose from a separate invitation issued to Prof Sooklal in his capacity as Head of Mission, and he attended among approximately 1,000 guests with no reported direct interaction with either Zuma or Gupta.

The central accountability question before the committee was whether official diplomatic resources or the High Commissioner’s position had been improperly leveraged to facilitate private meetings between the former president and Gupta, a figure whose family’s business interests have drawn sustained scrutiny in South African governance contexts. DIRCO’s investigation concluded they had not.

Committee Chairperson Supra Mahumapelo signalled the institution’s acceptance of those findings. “We are satisfied that the matter has been dealt with transparently and in line with due process,” Mahumapelo said. “We reaffirm our full confidence in Prof Sooklal and in the important work of our Mission in India to advance South Africa’s national interest, bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation.”

Prof Sooklal has since resumed his duties in New Delhi.

By contrast, the committee’s endorsement does not represent a full stop. Mahumapelo confirmed that the committee intends to engage with the complete report and develop a way forward, meaning the detailed findings will still receive formal parliamentary scrutiny even as the investigation’s core conclusions stand accepted.

The resolution removes a question that had hung over the mission’s leadership since the June visit drew public attention. The committee’s statement frames the outcome as confirmation that proper procedures were followed and that no impropriety occurred, a finding that restores institutional standing to both the High Commissioner and DIRCO’s internal oversight process.

Whether the committee’s forthcoming review of the full report surfaces any additional compliance or conduct questions remains to be seen.

For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, the committee’s Media Officer Sureshinee Govender can be reached at 081 704 1109 or [email protected].