South African department finds no violations by Commissioner Suklal in India — Daily Maverick
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation found no violations in the actions of the country’s High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, who attended the same religious event in Haridwar as former President Jacob Zuma and Ajay Gupta. Daily Maverick reports.
The department said that the role of South Africa’s High Commission in India was limited to the ceremonial reception and farewell of Zuma, as well as Sooklal’s participation in a public religious event to which he was separately invited as High Commissioner. According to the department, the mission did not organize, facilitate or participate in private meetings between Zuma and Gupta.
Zuma’s private trip
Indian media published photographs of Zuma, Sooklal and Gupta at a prayer gathering held on June 26, 2026, at the Siddhpeeth Shri Dakshin Kali Temple in Haridwar, around 200 kilometers north of New Delhi. The event was hosted by Swami Kailashanand Giri.
On June 19, the South African presidency informed the department about Zuma’s upcoming private trip to India and requested the necessary protocol and logistical support. The department subsequently asked South Africa’s High Commission in New Delhi to provide the former head of state with customary protocol assistance.
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According to the department, after arriving in India, Zuma was met by Sooklal and a designated High Commission staff member, and similar assistance was provided upon his departure. This support included access to ceremonial lounges, airport services, liaison with the authorities of the host country and assistance in organizing the trip.
The department’s and opposition’s position
The department noted that Sooklal attended the prayer gathering following a separate invitation from the organizers and did not accompany either Zuma or Gupta. Gupta was among about one thousand invited guests, and the High Commissioner said he had no direct contact with him.
The department stressed that standard assistance for former presidents does not authorize them to represent the South African government or promote the state’s official interests. The department also proposed a mechanism to assess possible reputational, political, diplomatic and security risks in similar situations.
Ryan Smith, the opposition Democratic Alliance’s representative for international relations, said that the review revealed problems in communication between the presidency and the department. He also questioned the appropriateness of providing Zuma with diplomatic support for international travel, citing the conviction in the contempt of Constitutional Court case and allegations of corruption, fraud and racketeering which, he said, remain unanswered.
