4 May 2013

Officials suspended over society wedding row

9:30 pm on 4 May 2013

Five high-ranking officials in South Africa have now been suspended as the government investigates security breaches during a society wedding.

A wealthy Indian family was allowed to land a private jet at a military base near the capital, Pretoria.

The Gupta family, which flew in guests including Bollywood film stars and Indian government officials, has denied any wrongdoing.

Four of the suspended officials are senior figures in the police and military; the fifth official, the head of state protocol, was suspended on Thursday.

The justice minister says three police officers have also been arrested, the BBC reports.

The Gupta brothers - Atul, Ajay and Rajesh - are said have wielded enormous influence in South Africa since white minority rule ended in 1994.

Their business interests cover mining, aviation, technology and the media.

On Thursday, it was also announced that the Indian embassy would be investigated to see if it had abused diplomatic privileges in connection with the wedding.