Johannesburg – Businessman Atul Gupta will face disciplinary charges for misconduct and for embarrassing the ANC following the Waterkloof air force base debacle.

The leaders of his branch in Ward 117, Joburg, which includes Saxonwold, Rosebank and Parktown last night decided to press charges against him for the incident, which saw a plane full of Gupta wedding guests land at the base.

Police VIP blue lights were used in cars ferrying the guests to the wedding venue in Sun City.

Branch secretary Tebogo Khaas has confirmed that the branch executive committee decided to go ahead with the charges.

Gupta will be formally notified about these as well as the date of the hearing as soon as the disciplinary committee has been appointed, he said.

Atul Gupta is the only of the Gupta brothers whose membership of the branch is still in good standing.

Government has launched its own investigation into the matter and a preliminary report was concluded on Tuesday.

Officials and ministers discussed the report on Saturday, and promised to have a press conference soon to make public the findings.

Khaas sent a letter to branch chairperson and businessman Sipho Sithole last Monday asking for disciplinary proceedings againt Gupta. 

The letter was also sent to Joburg regional secretary Dada Morero and Gauteng ANC secretary David Makhura.

In the letter, he said Gupta has “intentionally, or through wilful negligence encouraged others to use his association and close proximity to the senior leadership of the ANC” to effect the landing, which was irregular.

Gupta’s spokesperson, Gary Naidoo, earlier said the businessman was unaware of any action against him, and was attending a wedding in India.

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City Press