Overview
- The high commissioner, Anil Sooklal, was recalled to Pretoria for consultations after Minister Ronald Lamola announced the decision on Wednesday.
- Photographs from 26 June show Sooklal standing with former president Jacob Zuma and businessman Ajay Gupta at a prayer meeting at the Sidipeeth Shri Dakshin Kali Temple in Haridwar, India.
- DIRCO has opened an internal inquiry and said Sooklal had limited advance detail about Zuma’s itinerary and only accepted an invitation from the temple’s swami; no formal disciplinary charges have been announced so far.
- The department has recommended a mandatory disclosure framework that would require former presidents and deputy presidents seeking diplomatic support to list trip purpose, hosts, funding sources, key engagements and travel capacity.
- The episode has revived tensions over the Gupta family’s alleged role in state capture, prompted calls from the opposition for a formal departmental inquiry, and could narrow how South Africa handles unofficial travel by ex-heads of state.