Green group asks High Court to allow it to protest outside Guptas’ home
by Paul Burkhardt
2016-05-13 14:43:21.0
AN ENVIRONMENTAL lobby group asked the High Court to allow a protest against Oakbay Resources and Energy, the company controlled by the Gupta family, at the owners’ home in Johannesburg.
The organisation, known as 350.org, wanted to march to the home of the family because Oakbay had been involved in the coal industry, the group said in court papers. The case, which was due to be heard on Friday, was filed after a previous order allowing the demonstration at the home on Saturday was rescinded.
The Guptas and President Jacob Zuma’s son, Duduzane, control a company that bought coal assets this year, including the loss-making Optimum mine. The deal has been questioned by African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Gwede Mantashe and banks, including FirstRand and Barclays Africa Group, have closed accounts related to the companies.
The group said the interdict brought to prevent the protest is irrelevant because it refers to an earlier matter involving the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which is not involved in the demonstration.
Bloomberg
Atul Gupta at the bottom of the steps to his Saxonwold, Johannesburg home. Picture: SUNDAY TIMES
AN ENVIRONMENTAL lobby group asked the High Court to allow a protest against Oakbay Resources and Energy, the company controlled by the Gupta family, at the owners’ home in Johannesburg.
The organisation, known as 350.org, wanted to march to the home of the family because Oakbay had been involved in the coal industry, the group said in court papers. The case, which was due to be heard on Friday, was filed after a previous order allowing the demonstration at the home on Saturday was rescinded.
The Guptas and President Jacob Zuma’s son, Duduzane, control a company that bought coal assets this year, including the loss-making Optimum mine. The deal has been questioned by African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Gwede Mantashe and banks, including FirstRand and Barclays Africa Group, have closed accounts related to the companies.
The group said the interdict brought to prevent the protest is irrelevant because it refers to an earlier matter involving the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which is not involved in the demonstration.
Bloomberg
