#GuptaEmails: SA High Commissioner helped get Gupta a job as Consul

Johannesburg - Ex-SAA board member Rajesh Naithani didn't only give the Gupta family inside information on what was happening at SAA, he also appeared to work with the High Commissioner in India in an attempt to get Anil Gupta a job as a consul.

In a tranche of emails obtained by City Press on the Gupta family and their businesses, there is a series of emails from Naithani, an Indian molecular biologist who was on the boards of both SAA and SA Express, to Sahara computers chief executive Ashu Chawla.

Naithani apparently flew from India to South Africa for board meetings and allegedly sent Chawla inside information on what was happening at the national airline.

Naithani apparently also asked for a position on the board of Transnet after he was removed from the SAA board.

According to his email signature Naithani is also an "Officer on Special Duty Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Government of India" and according to a set of emails sent in 2012 he used this position to help Anil Gupta get a job.

#GuptaEmails: Read the documents here

Planning document

There are emails between Naithani, Chawla and the then South African High Commissioner for India Reverend Harris Majeke all planning to get Anil Gupta a position as a South African consul to India.

The emails show Naithani, Chawla and Atul Gupta discussing Anil Kumar Gupta's final CV draft.

Anil is listed as living in Uttarakhand, India, and is named as an industrialist and social worker. He is said to have worked in three companies in India, his non-executive roles include working at Shiva Uranium and at JIC Mining Services and he is listed as being involved in social projects including a blood donation drive.

In what appears to be a planning document email, Majeke sent to Dirco, Majeke, then in his role as High Commissioner of the South African High Commission in New Delhi, asked Naithani what line of business Gupta was doing and "what areas of trade can be developed between South Africa and the States of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh".

"Head office wants to know the specific economic benefits between SA and these states," Majeke said.

In another email sent by Majeke to Chawla titled "Briefing for Tony" the email is a draft of planning to be sent to an Advocate Nkosi.

"I observe that head office is raising three questions in relation to our application for the appointment of Mr Anil Gupta as Honorary Consul General of Urrakhand and Uttar Pradesh States."

READ: Leaked Gupta emails expose Zuma

Network

The email attaches Anil's CV and talks about the proximity to the states of New Delhi and Economic trade benefits envisaged between SA and the states.

"Mr Gupta is a high profile personality in the state. He is well placed political and his status will be an asset in South Africa as he will be the person through whom our businesses will network with the Government…"

It then goes into what the economic benefits would be.

Majeke states at the end: "Please respond to this. Beef up on the information I have supplied and send back to Head Office. This appointment should have been done by now. At least it must be done by November."

Anil Gupta is currently listed as part of the High Commission of India with an office in Pretoria. He is listed as a Consular PSO to HC. When News24 called his office someone responded that Gupta was on his way to India on Tuesday and he was not in the office.

Majeke is listed currently as an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for Burkino Faso.

From the set of emails Naithani appears to be very close to the Gupta family with an ability to network between countries' borders.

Instructions

In one email he sent to Chawla, he asked that it be sent to "Tony Bhai". He said he was in SA for an urgent meeting after the resignation of one board member as a result of infighting.

"You have been like God helping me all the time and I have no words to express my gratitude. I know you are always there for me."

Naithani said he would always follow his instructions and he will abide by whatever Tony Gupta decided.

"In case anything needs to be done during election time; working with our close ones please let me know."

There is no clear indication what election he is talking about.

Naithani also appears to deliver three letters on behalf of Rajesh Gupta and Sahara to the Nepal Royal family, inviting the King to SA for a religious festival, as well as two other Nepalese officials where it is also stated Rajesh Gupta will ask for help "in our other project which Rajesh will talk to you in detail".

Media queries to Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela, to Majeke and Gupta lawyer Gert van der Merwe have gone unanswered.

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