Riyaz Patel
Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela says she cannot understand why Duduzane Zuma “lied” to the state capture commission when he testified Monday that she had failed to give him the opportunity to respond to damning state capture claims against him, Business Day reported.
Madonsela reportedly said that investigators had even offered to travel to Dubai to speak to him on matters relating to the controversial and corruption-linked Gupta family
Duduzane, however, said he was never given the right of reply.
“This is the first time I am being asked these questions. I was not given an opportunity by the Public Protector,” former president Jacob Zuma’s son told the Commission.
Madonsela said Duduzane was given numerous opportunities to respond to the allegations before her report was released, from as early as the beginning of September 2016, according to The Citizen.
“He’s lying and I don’t know why.”
Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela
When Madonsela’s team reportedly made contact with Duduzane telephonically to set up an interview in early September 2016, he said he was out of the country and would indicate when he was available, she said, the Citizen reported.
Later, in September 2016, around the time Zuma supposedly was on a business trip to Dubai, he was reportedly contacted and offered an opportunity to communicate via Skype, but he declined this because he said his lawyer would not be available.
Madonsela reportedly said in the final stages of the investigation, Duduzane’s team suggested a date which fell after the end of her term in October that year.
Madonsela said Duduzane Zuma was not being honest.
Duduzane is a business partner of the Gupta family.
The Guptas stand accused of capturing key officials within the Zuma administration and of running a parallel government designed to advance their businesses, with Zuma ceding much of his power, including that to fire and hire ministers, to them, Business Day reported.
