Home affairs director general Mkuseli Apleni yesterday confirmed that the controversial Gupta family, closely linked to President Jacob Zuma, have not been issued with official South African passports.

According to eNCA home affairs spokesperson Mayihlome Tshwete said that the department has never issued an official passport to any members of the Gupta family.

“An official passport is given to somebody employed by government and we, as home affairs, are responsible for that. For us, we have never issued an official passport to any of the Gupta family [members],” said Apleni.

Apleni explained that issuing diplomatic passports was handled by the international relations and co-operation department (Dirco) and home affairs role is only to print once approved by Dirco.

Deputy minister of finance Mcebisi Jonas, former public enterprises minister Barbara Hogan and former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor have come forward with claims of alleged government tampering and offers of government positions by the Gupta family.

The Gupta family’s alleged “state capture” will be investigated by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela following an official complaint by the Democratic Alliance.