Nine officers arrested over Gupta saga

The Gupta family celebrated the wedding of Vega Gupta, 23, to Indian-born Aakash Jahajgarhia in Sun City, North West.

The Gupta family celebrated the wedding of Vega Gupta, 23, to Indian-born Aakash Jahajgarhia in Sun City, North West.

Published May 4, 2013

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 Johannesburg - Nine officers from the Tshwane metro police have been arrested after they allegedly formed part of a security complement that escorted Gupta family wedding guests to Sun City, the city's chief of metro police said.

“Our members have been arrested,” said Superitendent Isaac Mahamba in a telephone interview.

“We will do our own investigation on the charges as we need to verify information with the local police station.”

He said the internal investigation would determine what steps would be against them.

He could not confirm if they had been suspended, but said an investigation first needed to be carried out.

Mahamba said the nine allegedly formed a contigent that used private vehicles illegally fitted with police blue lights, sirens and false number plates.

It was also alleged that some had carried their service weapons while performing private duties, which was in contravention of the Firearms Control Act.

A jet chartered by the Gupta family made an unauthorised landing at the Waterkloof Air Force Base - a national key point - on Tuesday.

It was carrying guests to the wedding of Vega Gupta, 23, to Indian-born Aaskash Jahajgarhia at Sun City, North West. The Gupta's own The New Age newspaper and Sahara Computers.

The jet was moved off the base on Thursday afternoon, amid widespread criticism.

Said Mahamba: The department wishes to state that the officers were involved in this matter in their private capacities and did not use the uniform or vehicles of the TMPD.”

“They were not given permission to participate in the whole affair.” - Sapa

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