DA says it wants answers on Guptas' 'military vehicle'
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says they want answers after photos of a military vehicle stationed at the Gupta family's compound in Saxonwold was circulated online.
The party says they are concerned about the armoured vehicle that was apparently stationed at the wealthy, politically-connected family's house and that they want answers from Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe. Radebe is also the chairperson of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee.
"We want confirmation on whether or not the Gupta family had permission to own the armoured military vehicle," DA spokesman Kobus Marais says.
Marais says it is illegal for ordinary citizens to own military technology.
According to reports, the Gupta family lawyer Gert van der Merwe confirmed that the armoured vehicle belongs to the Guptas and that it is being used for safety purposes.
"Should minister Radebe confirm that the Guptas do not have permission to own this vehicle he must make public the actions that will be taken to ensure that the Guptas are held to account," Marais said.
Spotted driving down Saxonwold Drive at 18h53 this evening. #Guptas #ThereGoesTheNeighbourhood @TheMikeAppel pic.twitter.com/CwTcYkIsBF
— Julian Pienaar (@julian_pienaar) April 9, 2017
The Gupta family apparently believe the police can no longer protect them from furious protesters and were keeping an armoured military vehicle on their property in case they needed a quick escape. There were protests at their Saxonworld home on Friday, as part of the anti-Zuma marches which took place countrywide.
The vehicle has since been loaded on a flatbed truck and removed from the property.