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The Republic of Gupta: A Story of State Capture
What was Ajay Gupta doing on Thabo Mbeki's 'secret' advisory council? Did the Guptas play a role in Jacob Zuma's rise to power? How did the Guptas capture South African cricket? What is their interest in the controversial nuclear procurement deal? What influence have they had in the hiring and firing of cabinet ministers? The Guptas rose to national infamy when a commercial airliner packed with guests for a family wedding was allowed to land at Air Force Base Waterkloof in 2013, sparking an onslaught of public outrage. Since then, they have become embroiled in allegations of state capture, of dishing out cabinet posts to officials who would do their bidding, and of benefiting from lucrative state contracts and dubious loans. The Republic of Gupta investigates what the Gupta brothers were up to during Thabo Mbeki's presidency and how they got into the inner circle of President Jacob Zuma. It shines new light on their controversial ventures in computers, cricket, newspapers and TV news, and coal and uranium mining. And it explores their exposure by public protector Thuli Madonsela, their conflict with finance minister Pravin Gordhan, and the real reasons behind the cabinet reshuffle of March 2017. Pieter-Louis Myburgh delves deeper than ever before into the Guptas' business dealings and their links to prominent South African politicians, and explains how one family managed to transform an entire country into the Republic of Gupta.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2017
77 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
Pieter-Louis Myburgh
2 books26 followersPieter-Louis Myburgh is an award-winning investigative journalist. His series of exposés on a multibillion-rand contract for new locomotives at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) earned him several accolades, including South Africa’s prestigious Taco Kuiper Award for investigative journalism.
After completing his BPhil (honours) in journalism at Stellenbosch University, Myburgh cut his teeth as a general reporter at Beeld newspaper in Johannesburg. He found his feet as an investigative journalist at the Afrikaans weekly newspaper Rapport before moving to News24, where he still exposes the mechanics of dodgy deals and crooked cronies.
After completing his BPhil (honours) in journalism at Stellenbosch University, Myburgh cut his teeth as a general reporter at Beeld newspaper in Johannesburg. He found his feet as an investigative journalist at the Afrikaans weekly newspaper Rapport before moving to News24, where he still exposes the mechanics of dodgy deals and crooked cronies.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 22, 2017
A lot of people might say we are obsessed with the Guptas' and try throw the White Monopoly Capital nonsense our way. Well, I have got news for you; after reading this book, I feel like we have not even made enough noise about this family. I know the problem is the dead NPA, the ANC and all those bestowed with powers to Prosecute, since they are doing nothing about this family nor president Zuma.
In the book, which is a collection of essays, Myburgh has done great work in articulating his thoughts and also dealt with a lot of so called myths regarding the family. Duduzane's father is also exposed,, as well as his son whose first job was given by the Guptas'. A lot of government officials and those in corporate are not let off the hook as well.
It remains to be seen where the now teethless arrogant family will end up now. Things have not been good for them ever since the banks turned their back on them. Now with KPMG exposed too, it seems like a lot more secrets/plots will surface. Let me leave you all with the following quote and trust you will get the book.
"The South African taxpayer would again have to cover legal fees of a president who spent much of his two terms in power delaying a string of legal processes involving his alleged transgressions. And, once again, one couldn't help but ponder why someone so adamant that he is innocent would want to avoid what must surely be the ideal platform for a guilt-free man to clear his name."
In the book, which is a collection of essays, Myburgh has done great work in articulating his thoughts and also dealt with a lot of so called myths regarding the family. Duduzane's father is also exposed,, as well as his son whose first job was given by the Guptas'. A lot of government officials and those in corporate are not let off the hook as well.
It remains to be seen where the now teethless arrogant family will end up now. Things have not been good for them ever since the banks turned their back on them. Now with KPMG exposed too, it seems like a lot more secrets/plots will surface. Let me leave you all with the following quote and trust you will get the book.
"The South African taxpayer would again have to cover legal fees of a president who spent much of his two terms in power delaying a string of legal processes involving his alleged transgressions. And, once again, one couldn't help but ponder why someone so adamant that he is innocent would want to avoid what must surely be the ideal platform for a guilt-free man to clear his name."
May 20, 2017
“The Republic of Gupta” is not simply a biography of the Guptas; the extent of the relationship with Jacob Zuma is unpicked and examined, and the impact of this relationship on SA is terrifyingly laid out, leaving the reader in no doubt that the scandals, the fraud, the corruption is merely the smallest tip of a very big iceberg.
But does the book add anything new to what we read in the newspapers? “The Republic of Gupta” provides answers to many of the questions about the origins of the multi-billion crime wave that is the Gupta family, including where they were before they landed in SA, what their first business in SA was, and whether they were involved with other politicians prior to Zuma. Additionally, the growth of the Gupta family is examined and it is this aspect that is truly shocking – from opening a shoe shop two decades ago to buying a uranium mine in anticipation of The Nuclear Power Deal, the brothers have made an enormous amount of money very quickly.
Myburgh has a keen grasp of the facts surrounding the Guptas, and presents these fairly while still building a damning case against the brothers. It is this fairness, combined with the intensive research and probing interviews forming the backbone of this book that show his skill as an investigative journalist and reassures the reader that what is presented is far more reliable than the conjecture and speculation that colour much of the reporting about the Guptas to date.
The book reads like a horrifying novel; a novel that demands to be read - has to be read – so that we know the real story. Because hopefully, just maybe, it might not be too late to prevent waking up in The Republic of Gupta.
But does the book add anything new to what we read in the newspapers? “The Republic of Gupta” provides answers to many of the questions about the origins of the multi-billion crime wave that is the Gupta family, including where they were before they landed in SA, what their first business in SA was, and whether they were involved with other politicians prior to Zuma. Additionally, the growth of the Gupta family is examined and it is this aspect that is truly shocking – from opening a shoe shop two decades ago to buying a uranium mine in anticipation of The Nuclear Power Deal, the brothers have made an enormous amount of money very quickly.
Myburgh has a keen grasp of the facts surrounding the Guptas, and presents these fairly while still building a damning case against the brothers. It is this fairness, combined with the intensive research and probing interviews forming the backbone of this book that show his skill as an investigative journalist and reassures the reader that what is presented is far more reliable than the conjecture and speculation that colour much of the reporting about the Guptas to date.
The book reads like a horrifying novel; a novel that demands to be read - has to be read – so that we know the real story. Because hopefully, just maybe, it might not be too late to prevent waking up in The Republic of Gupta.
October 2, 2017
A slow read...
Investigative journalism at its SCARIEST!
Really disturbing...and really sad because selfish deeds of a few greedy people have a MASSIVE ripple effect on the poor.
And considering how politics is unfolding at the moment...we now know that this was the tip of the iceberg...
Investigative journalism at its SCARIEST!
Really disturbing...and really sad because selfish deeds of a few greedy people have a MASSIVE ripple effect on the poor.
And considering how politics is unfolding at the moment...we now know that this was the tip of the iceberg...
September 25, 2017
It never stops. In fact, many South Africans, including journalists are suffering Gupta/state capture fatigue. Every day brings more revelations of how South Africa's government, state institutions and politicians have been captured and are beholden to one powerful family: the Guptas.
But how did they do it? How did this family, who arrived from India in the early 1990s, worm its way into politics and business? South Africans really only became familiar with the Gupta brothers when they notoriously managed to land a commercial airline, carrying hundreds of wedding guests, at the military's Waterkloof Air Force Base - a national keypoint. The outrage that followed saw investigations that resulted in blame being placed on junior officials, while the revelations that "Number One" (a call sign for the president) had exerted influence to clear the landing, were ignored.
The Guptas' influence over President Jacob Zuma began much earlier though. In this book, investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh explains how. He ferrets out how the brothers sidled up to politicians and influential officials at state-owned enterprises to gain lucrative government contracts while flouting tender laws.
While Myburgh includes many facts already known and written about, it is only while placed together that the Guptas' almost complete capture can be seen in perspective, in all its shocking malfeasance. Myburgh also does reveal some areas where the Guptas inserted their tentacles that were unknown to me, a journalist.
The book is an important one in understanding the current state of politics in South Africa, and to comprehend the mafia-like way in which the few consume the plenty.
But how did they do it? How did this family, who arrived from India in the early 1990s, worm its way into politics and business? South Africans really only became familiar with the Gupta brothers when they notoriously managed to land a commercial airline, carrying hundreds of wedding guests, at the military's Waterkloof Air Force Base - a national keypoint. The outrage that followed saw investigations that resulted in blame being placed on junior officials, while the revelations that "Number One" (a call sign for the president) had exerted influence to clear the landing, were ignored.
The Guptas' influence over President Jacob Zuma began much earlier though. In this book, investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh explains how. He ferrets out how the brothers sidled up to politicians and influential officials at state-owned enterprises to gain lucrative government contracts while flouting tender laws.
While Myburgh includes many facts already known and written about, it is only while placed together that the Guptas' almost complete capture can be seen in perspective, in all its shocking malfeasance. Myburgh also does reveal some areas where the Guptas inserted their tentacles that were unknown to me, a journalist.
The book is an important one in understanding the current state of politics in South Africa, and to comprehend the mafia-like way in which the few consume the plenty.
May 17, 2017
Ok, so I did not agree with the thesis that Mbeki was somehow responsible for the Guptas (although they did take advantage of empowerment deals to start corrupting everything - so maybe the lesson is that more care should be taken with the environment that is created). This also loses a star for not being the most readable of books, but don't let that put you off. The content is important and it's a very necessary summary of events for anyone with even a fleeting interest in South Africa. You may be sat in front of newswire screens all day, but what is revealed here will still shock you. Most of all the question, was Polokwane sewn up by the Guptas? Did they deliberately bring about the shock political turn of events to destroy a country? One clear point emerges - if any interests out there had wanted to destroy Mandela's South Africa and everything that it stood for, they could not have scripted a better, more effective destruction of the country's institutions. Alarming.
May 8, 2017
Before Jacob Zuma became president, there was already rumours flying around that he was getting too close to some "Indians". It is funny, at that stage I believed it was probably the Sheik empire that had a hold over him, but never knowing how the Gupta's actually manipulated him for their own benefit.
The book is a sad tale of what has become of our country and the willingness of humans to sell their soul for money. Most of what is revealed is not new, but to have an account such as this to place it all together in one place, just adds to utter feeling of depresion and the hopelessness of not being able to change it.
One has to wonder what is in stall for our country!
The book is a sad tale of what has become of our country and the willingness of humans to sell their soul for money. Most of what is revealed is not new, but to have an account such as this to place it all together in one place, just adds to utter feeling of depresion and the hopelessness of not being able to change it.
One has to wonder what is in stall for our country!
August 4, 2021
This book reads in parts like a suspense novel, especially the parts that deal with Thuli Madonsela's last week in office and for me, the Eskom and Optimum Coal saga. I think there's a big piece missing from the Optimum saga and that is Glencore's voice about what really transpired in the moments leading up to the sale of Optimum and what happened during that infamous Switzerland trip by Mosebenzi Zwane. Anyway, I have no doubt that some day all will be revealed. Well done to PL Muburgh for capturing for future generations, what is a big chapter in South Africa's descent to a failed state.
June 16, 2017
A good pulling together of the threads that have been reported in the media over the years about the alleged South African state capture by the Gupta family. Facts are presented coherently and build a good case. Research and interviews are presented in a reliable way. Good investigative journalism, which should concen every South African citizen because of the impact the findings have on the future of the country.
August 31, 2017
Extremely interesting and a very well documented piece of investigative journalism. For someone reading this who is not from South Africa, like myself, it is sometimes hard to follow all the sequence of events as well as people who are mentioned. However, the overall gist is very clear and the extent of state capture and its deep-rooted nature is absolutely shocking! Nelson Mandela will be turning over in his grave at this.
August 27, 2017
Shocking and disturbing but nevertheless essential reading for every South African who cares about their Country. Not to mention a warning to other nations of how easy and invidious State Capture can take hold and take charge. Politics and the Economy mixed in a story that may seem far fetched were it not so damningly true!
June 25, 2017
This is a fascinating expose of how one family has become so powerful in South Africa. As the author notes in his Epilogue, this is hopefully a lesson we should all learn from and sadly may spell the end of the ANC.
August 1, 2017
Well written, but depressing to read about how the state capture of South Africa and the damage it has caused could have been prevented 12 years ago.
September 1, 2018
A light-touch overview of well known topics covered in greater detail by other books on corruption and state capture. Worth reading if you haven't already read deeply on this matter
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December 8, 2019A glimpse into the depraved and massively corrupt World of ex president Zuma.
July 27, 2020
South African journalists are heroes for the work they do.
April 8, 2022
If you’re not South African, don’t bother. This is not for you. Otherwise, this excellent piece of investigative journalism has more villains than Game of Thrones minus the ethics. And you know quite a few of them.
The whole saga smells of putrefaction. Not only because the Gupta brothers, their wives, and their immediate associates, Jagdish Parekh, Ashu Chawla, Ronika Ragavan and others, are putrid but because they managed to pervert and corrupt a multitude of willingly corruptible scum as well. And together they brought about the downfall of a once unequalled country. Not even Thuli Madonsela, Pravin Gordhan and amaBhungane's reporting could prevent the catastrophe.
The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, through its Unite 4 Msanzi, estimates that just between 2015 and 2019, South Africa lost R1.5 trillion to corruption. That is: R821,917,808.22 / USD55.6 million per day, every day. EVERY FUCKING SINGLE DAY.
Remember: the study only concentrates on a five-year period. The Guptas had been openly very active since 2010 but their links to zuma go back to at least 1998, when Atul Gupta started bragging about them. And he was an advisor to Mbeki before that.
The South African Presidents that succeeded Mandela were only the visible heads of a shit iceberg. South Africa was the Titanic. But the culprits are millions.
For every jacob zuma (I normally write his name like that because for me the only capital he deserve is punishment), there is/are:
- one Duduzane and one Duduzile, the evil twins;
- the full executive echelon of the ruling party, African National Congress, and all its many wings and regional branches, right down to the brainless hordes;
- a revolving door of no less than 60 Cabinet Ministers plus at least twice as many Deputies and Assistant Deputies. Each with special advisors;
- Directors General and Departmental Heads;
- Provincial Heads/Premiers each with a government of 20 Ministers/MECs;
- CEOs and board members at Transnet, Eskom, Denel, SABC, IDC;
- Provincial Commissioners, Deputies and Area Managers;
- City Managers, Controllers, Municipal authorities;
- millions of administrators, supervisors, co-ordinators, rank-and-file public employees, cops, military personnel, etc.
Mixed among the lot above are shady degenerates like Iqbal Sharma, Malusi Gigaba, Essop Pahad, Gwede Mantashe, Brian Molefe, Gerald Majola, Tom Moyane, Collen Matjila, Graham Smith (yes, the cricket guy), Salim Essa, Siyabonga Cwele, Nazeen Howla, Haludi Motsoaneng, Busisiwe Mkhwabane, Mosebenzi Zwane, Fana Hlongwane and many other slugs. Plus opportunistic carrion-eaters like Gert van der Merwe, lawyer; Bell Pottinger, spin-doctors; Andile Mngxitama; primitive, loud nobody; Des van Rooyen, useless weekend special. Each contributing to the master plan, each seeking a slice of the pie.
And then those with clean hands but guilty of doing nothing and looking the other way, including courts, prosecutors, environmental agencies, the silent media, the party’s military veterans/retired combatants.
Finally, right at the bottom of the pyramid shat on from above, countless people who enabled all the Gupta operations by keeping the wheels turning because of stupidity, naivety or simply because they were in need of a paying job. But they made it possible.
Most, if not all of the above, are still in South Africa Livin’ la Vida Loca, unencumbered by moral or legal issues. If you meet any of them –and it’s difficult no to- please do me a favour, spit in their faces.
Back to the book. It is good. The investigation is thorough; the reporting is perhaps a little too long and sometimes the same accusations and denials and the same accusations and the same denials and more denials of the same accusations become reiterative. But it’s worth reading if you care to learn how we slipped from a country with a future to a shameless place of unaccountability and rot that will probably never recover –the culture of lawlessness has spread too far and taken hold in the youth.
WARNING: Reading of this book may cause you to feel as if you’ve been morally molested. You have. Like our poor South Africa and many of us have. But we’re a minority; the majority seems happy enough with this state of affairs. Blame it on the French Revolutionaries and their Chablis-swilling, escargot-eating idea that everybody should be allowed to vote.
The whole saga smells of putrefaction. Not only because the Gupta brothers, their wives, and their immediate associates, Jagdish Parekh, Ashu Chawla, Ronika Ragavan and others, are putrid but because they managed to pervert and corrupt a multitude of willingly corruptible scum as well. And together they brought about the downfall of a once unequalled country. Not even Thuli Madonsela, Pravin Gordhan and amaBhungane's reporting could prevent the catastrophe.
The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, through its Unite 4 Msanzi, estimates that just between 2015 and 2019, South Africa lost R1.5 trillion to corruption. That is: R821,917,808.22 / USD55.6 million per day, every day. EVERY FUCKING SINGLE DAY.
Remember: the study only concentrates on a five-year period. The Guptas had been openly very active since 2010 but their links to zuma go back to at least 1998, when Atul Gupta started bragging about them. And he was an advisor to Mbeki before that.
The South African Presidents that succeeded Mandela were only the visible heads of a shit iceberg. South Africa was the Titanic. But the culprits are millions.
For every jacob zuma (I normally write his name like that because for me the only capital he deserve is punishment), there is/are:
- one Duduzane and one Duduzile, the evil twins;
- the full executive echelon of the ruling party, African National Congress, and all its many wings and regional branches, right down to the brainless hordes;
- a revolving door of no less than 60 Cabinet Ministers plus at least twice as many Deputies and Assistant Deputies. Each with special advisors;
- Directors General and Departmental Heads;
- Provincial Heads/Premiers each with a government of 20 Ministers/MECs;
- CEOs and board members at Transnet, Eskom, Denel, SABC, IDC;
- Provincial Commissioners, Deputies and Area Managers;
- City Managers, Controllers, Municipal authorities;
- millions of administrators, supervisors, co-ordinators, rank-and-file public employees, cops, military personnel, etc.
Mixed among the lot above are shady degenerates like Iqbal Sharma, Malusi Gigaba, Essop Pahad, Gwede Mantashe, Brian Molefe, Gerald Majola, Tom Moyane, Collen Matjila, Graham Smith (yes, the cricket guy), Salim Essa, Siyabonga Cwele, Nazeen Howla, Haludi Motsoaneng, Busisiwe Mkhwabane, Mosebenzi Zwane, Fana Hlongwane and many other slugs. Plus opportunistic carrion-eaters like Gert van der Merwe, lawyer; Bell Pottinger, spin-doctors; Andile Mngxitama; primitive, loud nobody; Des van Rooyen, useless weekend special. Each contributing to the master plan, each seeking a slice of the pie.
And then those with clean hands but guilty of doing nothing and looking the other way, including courts, prosecutors, environmental agencies, the silent media, the party’s military veterans/retired combatants.
Finally, right at the bottom of the pyramid shat on from above, countless people who enabled all the Gupta operations by keeping the wheels turning because of stupidity, naivety or simply because they were in need of a paying job. But they made it possible.
Most, if not all of the above, are still in South Africa Livin’ la Vida Loca, unencumbered by moral or legal issues. If you meet any of them –and it’s difficult no to- please do me a favour, spit in their faces.
Back to the book. It is good. The investigation is thorough; the reporting is perhaps a little too long and sometimes the same accusations and denials and the same accusations and the same denials and more denials of the same accusations become reiterative. But it’s worth reading if you care to learn how we slipped from a country with a future to a shameless place of unaccountability and rot that will probably never recover –the culture of lawlessness has spread too far and taken hold in the youth.
WARNING: Reading of this book may cause you to feel as if you’ve been morally molested. You have. Like our poor South Africa and many of us have. But we’re a minority; the majority seems happy enough with this state of affairs. Blame it on the French Revolutionaries and their Chablis-swilling, escargot-eating idea that everybody should be allowed to vote.
May 20, 2017
I implore every South African too read this book.Well researched and very informative. It shows the filth that is going on behind the scenes and how lies are spread for self-enrichment.
Read
August 26, 2017Painfully insightful. What keeps playing through my mind is how much better things could have been, if only we had a leadership that had more integrity. The web is deep, deeper than what was in the book and it is saddening how the selfish deeds of a few greedy have a much bigger ripple effect on the poor.
December 11, 2017
I absolutely enjoyed the book. Such a page turner.
Must read for everyone.
Must read for everyone.
Read
January 11, 2019Shocking
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews