Themba Maseko Jacob Zuma State Capture Inquiry

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 29: Themba Maseko former GCIS CEO about to give his testimony to the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Ray Zondo at Parktown on August 29, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The commission was established to inquire, investigate and make recommendations into any and all allegations of state capture, corruption and fraud in the public sector. (Photo by Gallo Images /Nertwerk 24 /Tebogo Letsie)

State Capture Inquiry: Witness accuses Jacob Zuma of ‘multiple lies’

The testimony of Ex-GCIS boss Themba Maseko has accused Jacob Zuma of lying during his first appearance at the State Capture Inquiry in July.

Themba Maseko Jacob Zuma State Capture Inquiry

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 29: Themba Maseko former GCIS CEO about to give his testimony to the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Ray Zondo at Parktown on August 29, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The commission was established to inquire, investigate and make recommendations into any and all allegations of state capture, corruption and fraud in the public sector. (Photo by Gallo Images /Nertwerk 24 /Tebogo Letsie)

He may have dodged an appearance at the State Capture Inquiry with a sick-note, but Jacob Zuma has had his name dragged through the mud once more on Wednesday. Former GCIS chief and government spokesperson Themba Maseko has picked up from where his previous damning testimony left off.

Themba Maseko grills Jacob Zuma

Maseko has implicated Zuma in some dodgy dealings before. He’s accused Msholozi of flaunting due process and acting in the best interests of the Guptas. However, during his second appearance at the Commission, the former ally of the ex-president said that Zuma’s testimony was riddled with lies.

It comes down to two things: Maseko says that Zuma is sharing fibs when he told the Commission about his transfer from GCIS. The witness believes that JZ was lying with his claims that the transfer was discussed openly in cabinet, and that there were records of this exchange kept in minutes from the office of the presidency:

“The question was whether deployment of Directors General was discussed with the President […] – I do agree with the former President that he does discuss the deployment of Directors General, but I think what the former President said in his oral evidence is untrue. I dispute it.”

“I did not receive any memoranda while I was at the meeting. There was no discussion. It was simply an announcement [that I was being transfered]. I do not recall seeing a particular minute about this issue, no.”

Themba Maseko

State Capture Inquiry: Themba Maseko hammers Msholozi’s testimony

Sure enough, a quick search for the meeting in 2011 has revealed that nothing was recorded in terms of Themba Maseko’s transfer, and the subsequent move made by Mzwanele Manyi.

The Gupta link

Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo then weighed in at the conclusion of Themba Maseko’s testimony. He said that there’s a need to establish whether the transfer was made at the behest of the Gupta brothers.

Jacob Zuma was due to appear at the State Capture Inquiry next Monday, but cited a long-running illness as a reason for pulling out. His attempt to duck-out of the Commission – which he had previously attended while sick in the winter – may only incriminate him further, as state witnesses continue to implicate Zuma in corrupt activities.