DIRCO clears Sooklal over Zuma’s India visit

It said assistance given to Zuma was limited to routine "ceremonial lounge arrangements, airport courtesies," and travel facilitation. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) on Wednesday said an internal review cleared Ambassador Anil Sooklal following former president Jacob Zuma’s private visit to India in June 2026. The department said the South African High Commission in New Delhi “did not facilitate any substantive engagement between former President Jacob Zuma and Mr Ajay Gupta during the visit.” It said assistance given to Zuma was limited to routine “ceremonial lounge arrangements, airport courtesies,” and travel facilitation, in line with standard practice for former presidents. This is a developing story