Atul Gupta

The supreme court of appeal held that the acquittal of officials and Gupta associates on fraud and money-laundering charges was a failure of justice

The reluctance not only to deploy private counsel but to follow their advice has proved a recurring theme in state capture cases

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Thembisile Simelane-Nkadimeng said her department was also handling 40 extradition applications from other countries

The National Prosecuting Authority lives to fight another day after losing face in the first state capture trial

But first justice officials want their Emirati counterparts to say plainly why the first was denied

The acting judge who discharged Gutpa associates in the first state capture case fell short of legal and ethical standards, the National Prosecuting Authority submitted

The trial judge said the prosecution was trying to reserve questions of fact, not law

The agreement was reached at a meeting in Dubai between the justice minister and his Emirati counterpart

She failed to apply the rules of evidence, the doctrine of common purpose and sections of the Criminal Procedure Act correctly, prosecutors argue

The NPA raised concerns about the judgment and called for the Investigating Directorate to be made a permanent entity without delay

All Nulane Investments accused have been acquitted, but observers had been warning for months that the writing was on the wall

The case, which informed the request for the extradition of the Gupta brothers, has ended in defeat for the prosecution for lack of evidence

There are many obstacles, including the brothers being free agents and newfound citizens of the Pacific nation of Vanuatu

Atul and Tony Gupta are said to be seeking asylum in central African states while South Africa’s extradition request stalls

Not investigating politicians is a breach of standards, former public protector tells inquiry into her successor, Busisiwe Mkhwebane