Riyaz Patel
Former president Jacob Zuma owed the country an explanation as to the nature of his friendship with the Guptas and the reasons for defending them, former SA Secret Service Head Mo Shaik told the state capture commission of inquiry Tuesday.
Shaik alleged that Zuma rejected a proposal by the State Security Agency to investigate the controversial, corruption-linked Gupta brothers.
Instead, he said, the former president opted to defend them and made it clear that no investigation should proceed.
“It was quite evident that some kind of influence peddling was taking place by the Gupta brothers and the president needed to be alive to that information peddling.
Shaik further claimed that he and two other senior State Security Agency (SSA) officials met personally with Zuma to brief him of their proposed investigation of the Guptas.
“The fact that he was dismissive of it will forever remain a mystery to me but the inappropriateness of the behaviour of the Gupta family, I think that is not in doubt anymore.”
He said Zuma must explain his decision to the nation.
“The country awaits Zuma’s explanation for what was the nature of that relationship and why in light of so many people raising the issue, he still felt necessary to defend it. If not defended, then no put the kind of appropriate checks and balances in place?”
Shaik believes Zuma had difficulty separating his personal relationship with members of the Gupta family from his responsibilities as head of state.
“He was being very loyal to the friendship of the Gupta family, even though this loyalty was causing him embarrassment in his public office,” the former SSA Chief testified.
“The facts did not matter at that point… once the president had made up his mind, it was very difficult to shift that mindset.”
