SA: Gupta family apologises over wedding jet scandal

May 05, 2013 08:50

The Gupta family, with close ties to South African President Jacob Zuma and the ruling African National Congress party, has apologised for a diplomatic scandal over the use of a military air base to land a private jet flying their guests to a wedding this week.

The wealthy Indian family on Tuesday landed a chartered plane at Waterkloof Air Force Base near Pretoria without permits, prompting a national condemnation.

"In light of what happened... the family would like to issue a general apology to all affected, including the South African and Indian governments, the local authorities, the South African public and especially our guests," said Atul Gupta in a statement.

A senior South African diplomat and several police officers have been suspended for their role in allowing the aircraft to land at the restricted base.

Some 200 passengers, including Bollywood stars and politicians, were attending the lavish wedding of Vega Gupta, a niece of the powerful Gupta businessmen who own several companies including Sahara Computers and the pro-government New Age newspaper.

They received a full police escort to the Sun City resort for the four-day affair billed as "the wedding of the year".

In a bid to save face, South African authorities had earlier announced a full scale seven-day probe into the controversial landing, which has been described as an embarrassment and as undermining the country's laws.

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