US sanctions Guptas for South African ‘corruption’
The three Gupta brothers, friends of former South African president Jacob Zuma,
are accused of bribing politicians to advance their business.
The Guptas have denied wrongdoing.
The order
forbids US entities from doing business with the men or handling their assets.
The US said the Guptas engaged in “pay-to-play political patronage, which was orchestrated at the expense of the South African people”.
“The Guptas and [Salim] Essa have used their influence with prominent politicians and parties to line their pockets with ill-gotten gains,” US Treasury official Sigal Mandelker said. “We will continue to exclude from the U.S. financial system those who profit from corruption.”
The order applies to Ajay, Atul, and Rajesh Gupta as well as Salim Essa.
BBC News