Jacob Zuma, former South African president, has provoked strong condemnation from government ministers after photographs revealed him meeting Ajay Gupta at an Indian temple. The Gupta family faced accusations of exploiting their influence over Zuma to extract vast sums through fraudulent schemes and policy manipulation during his administration. Officials view the meeting as contemptuous, particularly given that Zuma used the occasion to declare his intention to seek re-election, despite decades of investigation into the alleged corruption involving the Guptas.

The Gupta brothers departed South Africa in 2018 as official inquiries into their activities intensified, with some family members now residing in the United Arab Emirates. A comprehensive commission concluded in 2022 that Zuma systematically appointed and dismissed senior ministers, including those overseeing the economy, according to Gupta family preferences, and facilitated systemic fraud at the state electricity company. South Africa's government has pledged to investigate the recent encounter, with officials expressing concern that Zuma may be pursuing unauthorised diplomatic activities on behalf of his political party.