Cape Town – The Directorate for Priority Criminal Investigations has said its investigations into the Gupta family are still on track, and that the Asset Forfeiture Unit and the National Prosecuting Authority’s setbacks in court did not affect these investigations negatively.
The criminal investigation is taking place as multiple other investigations and inquiries into allegations of state capture at various government entities are unfolding.
Deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo's judicial inquiry into state capture is getting set to convene. An inquiry into the South African Revenue Service chaired by former judge Robert Nugent, meanwhile, has started.
In May, the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein reversed a preservation order relating to assets belonging to the Gupta brothers.
Hawks spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi told Fin24 on Thursday while this may have been a setback for the NPA and the AFU, the Hawks were still capable of conducting their own investigations into the once politically connected family.
"These are two different entities. The Hawks are dealing with the criminal aspect of the investigation and have got nothing to do with Asset Forfeiture Unit matters.
"The criminal investigations are well on track," said Mulaudzi.
Even though they missed the deadline to appeal the high court waiver on freezing the Guptas' assets earlier this month, the NPA has maintained that it can freeze the Guptas' assets, especially if it can lead to a successful investigation or conviction; or if the assets are, indeed, the proceeds of corrupt activities.