DIRCO clears High Commissioner Anil Sooklal; he returns to post in India

According to IOL, South Africa’s High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, has been cleared by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and has returned to his post in India.

What IOL reports about the clearance and return

IOL says Sooklal resumed his duties in India after meeting with senior DIRCO officials. The meetings took place on the sidelines of the recently held SADC Summit in Durban, according to IOL.

Background: the Zuma visit and questions over a photograph

According to IOL, questions arose following former president Jacob Zuma’s June visit to India when a photograph circulated showing Sooklal at an event where businessman Anil Gupta was also pictured. DIRCO sought clarity from Sooklal and requested a mission report detailing the trip, IOL reports.

DIRCO protocols and planning

IOL reports that Zuma’s trip to India was a planned visit involving the former president, five members of the South African Police Service and other aides, with costs covered by the Presidency. IOL also says DIRCO was fully aware of the trip and authorised and activated various official protocols, including the use of protocol lounges at King Shaka and OR Tambo airports and notifying missions in Dubai and New Delhi.

Details of engagement in India

IOL reports that Sooklal was informed of Zuma’s visit by DIRCO’s Directorate of State Visits on June 19 and that, according to sources cited by IOL, Sooklal received Zuma at the protocol lounge in Mumbai on June 25 in keeping with established diplomatic protocol.

IOL says Zuma told Sooklal he was visiting India as a guest of Hindu spiritual leader Mahamandaleshwar Kailashananda Swami and was scheduled to participate in a pooja on June 26. IOL reports Sooklal had been invited to the prayer ceremony and attended with his wife; both Sooklal and Zuma were announced as chief guests and Gupta was also announced as a chief guest, according to IOL.

Interactions and scrutiny

IOL reports that after the programme Sooklal joined Zuma for a photograph, but according to IOL sources he had no interaction with Gupta and was not involved in the media interview subsequently conducted by Zuma. The photograph’s circulation on social media prompted questions about whether Sooklal’s presence had been sanctioned.

DIRCO response

IOL reports that DIRCO requested a mission report from Sooklal following the furore. IOL also says it approached DIRCO on three separate occasions with detailed questions about the matter but received no response.