ActionSA slams decision not to sanction India envoy Anil Sooklal

ActionSA Slams Government Over High Commissioner Decision

What Happened?

Photos surfaced showing South Africa’s High Commissioner to India, Professor Anil Sooklal, standing with former president Jacob Zuma and fugitive businessman Ajay Gupta at a temple in Haridwar, India. The images sparked criticism because Zuma and the Gupta brothers are central figures in the State Capture scandal that drained public funds and weakened institutions.

Why It Matters

State Capture left South Africa with huge economic losses and damaged trust in government. When a senior diplomat is seen with people linked to that scandal, many wonder whether the government is still tolerating corrupt behaviour.

ActionSA’s Concerns

• Accountability Gap – ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip says the decision not to discipline Sooklal undermines public confidence that officials will be held responsible for their actions.
• Wrong Message – By not taking action, the Government of National Unity appears to send mixed signals about its commitment to clean governance.
• Selective Justice – Trollip argues that accountability should apply to everyone, regardless of political connections, and should not be based on convenience.

Call for Transparency

ActionSA has asked Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola to:

1. Explain how the decision was reached.
2. Release the findings of the internal inquiry into Sooklal’s conduct.
3. Clarify why no disciplinary steps were deemed necessary.

The party insists that rebuilding trust requires clear, principled actions—not selective leniency.

Conclusion

The controversy over Professor Sooklal’s visit highlights a broader issue: South Africans want leaders who distance themselves from figures tied to State Capture and who apply the same rules to all public servants. For the Government of National Unity to regain credibility, it must show that every official, no matter their rank, is subject to honest scrutiny and appropriate consequences. Only then can confidence in the nation’s institutions begin to recover.