Gupta family promises to co-operate with plane probes

The Gupta family has undertaken to co-operate with investigations into the unauthorised landing of its chartered plane at Waterkloof Air Force Base.

"The family is of the firm view that the public is entitled to the truth as far as these serious allegations are concerned," it said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The family will... partake and co-operate in any other investigations as to assist the authorities in addressing any alleged unlawful conduct by individuals, officials or family members."

It had instructed its attorneys to address "all concerns where formal investigations have commenced or are pending".

The family said journalists were conducting "fishing expeditions" by affording it the right to reply, to justify publishing slander and far-fetched stories.

"Until the various reports are finalised and made public, the family has decided not to issue any further public statements, nor respond to any queries pertaining to the wedding and the surrounding circumstances.

"The experience thus far showed that any and all bona fide attempts by the family to respond to these allegations were merely brushed off, where papers published these far-fetched allegations as fact."

The family reiterated its apology to the governments of South Africa and India for the embarrassment caused.

On April 29, a plane the Guptas had chartered, carrying 270 wedding guests, landed at Waterkloof Air Force Base.

Guests were attending the wedding of Vega Gupta, 23, and Indian-born Aakash Jahajgarhia at Sun City. The landing sparked widespread criticism.

Government said on May 3 that the landing at the national key point was unauthorised and that a probe was underway into a possible breach of diplomatic protocol.

Government spokesman Phumla Williams said the investigation was expected to be concluded on Tuesday.