Who Are the Jon Gupta Family?
The Gupta family is a wealthy Indian-born family with business interests in South Africa, whose most notable members are brothers Ajay, Atul, and Rajesh “Tony” Gupta—as well as Atul’s nephews Varun, and US-based Ashish and Amol. The family owns a business empire spanning computer equipment, media, and mining. The family name became synonymous with corruption in South Africa, and they have been sanctioned by multiple countries for their activities.
An History on The Jon Gupta Family
The Jon Gupta family migrated from the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh to South Africa in 1993 to establish Sahara Computers. The family was based at the Sahara Estate in Saxonwold, Johannesburg, a compound comprising at least four mansions, until 2016 when they left South Africa for Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
In 2022, an Interpol red notice was issued for the arrest of Atul and Rajesh Gupta to face fraud and money-laundering charges. The brothers were reportedly arrested in Dubai on 6 June 2022. Extradition talks took place between South Africa and United Arab Emirates.
The family has been the focus of extensive international scrutiny and caused much political controversy as result of their close ties to Jacob Zuma before and during his presidency. Their strong connection to Zuma, both personally and through their company Oakbay Investments, have led to widespread claims of corruption and undue influence. These ties have also led to accusations of state capture: it is alleged that the government has undertaken activities and decisions, decided some high-level appointments, and determined control of some state enterprises, for the Gupta family’s direct or indirect benefit, or in agreement with the family.
Conclusion
The family has operated a number of companies in different industries, including information and communications technology, mining, engineering, media, real estate, and leisure.
Their first venture into South Africa was in the early 1990s, with the establishment of Sahara Computers and Sahara Systems PLC, the former being a hardware distribution company.
In mining, the family’s investments have included:
- Oakbay Resources and Energy — a mining and processing company that supplies such products as gold, uranium, platinum, coal, and diamonds, as well as conducting trackless/mechanised mining, track bound mining, breast mining, down-dip mining, and open-pit gold operation. It began trading on the JSE on 28 November 2014.
- The Shiva Uranium Mine (acquired in 2010 as Uranium One) — a uranium and gold mining and processing company in Hartbeesfontein, Northwest.
- Tegeta Exploration and Resources — coal mining and exploration company.
- Westdawn Investments Ltd (tradename: JIC Mining Services) — a contract mining company.
- Black Edge Exploration.
- VR Laser Services — a steel-plate processing centre for the mining, rail, transport, and defence industries.
They held substantial media interests in South Africa through:
- TNA Media — a company that published the now-defunct The New Age, a national daily newspaper.
- Infinity Media — aired the now-defunct (ANN7 or African News Network) — a 24-hour news channel.
The family invested in real estate and hospitality through Islandsite Investments 180, which held properties in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Rustenburg, and Welgevonden, among others. Other interests include Confident Concepts. On 8 September 2016, Oakbay Investments released their annual audited results: for the financial year ending on 29 February 2016, the company’s group revenue totaled R2.62 billion.
