Vytjie Mentor is back and challenging Zuma to a live TV debate
The Former ANC MP and struggle veteran dropped a bombshell earlier this year when she claimed the Guptas offered her a job as cabinet minister, kickstarting widespread allegations of state capture and prompting a Public Protector investigation.
Remember Vytjie Mentor? The gal who pretty much started the state capture mania that eventually led to the Guptas giving up their business interests in SA. Well, she’s back and ready to deliver on her promise, which is that she’s far from done with Zuma.
So back in March rumours started spreading that Zuma’s decision to axe Nhlanhla Nene – which ultimately led to the Rand crashing and the economy losing in the region of R500 billion – was part of a larger conspiracy masterminded by the infamous Gupta family to gain control of certain sectors of government.
Further bolstering the claims of state capture was Mentor, who revealed that the Guptas, with Zuma’s knowledge, had offered her a position as cabinet minister; and deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas who confirmed that the Guptas had also offered him Nene’s position.
Anyway, Mentor has now challenged the president to a public debate on state capture after Zuma asked to see Thuli Madonsela’s evidence on her state capture investigation – an investigation he wanted her to defer to the new public protector –.
“Dear Zuma, I spoke to the PP. I revealed things about you and about your folly relationship with the Gupta’s through your son,” Mentor wrote on her Facebook page.
“I can go one-on-one with you on a publicly-televised hearing only after the PP releases her report, with or without you having responded to the questions she posed to you six months ago,” Mentor added.
I am not scared of you, of your lies, your tricks, your delaying tactics, your attempted intimidation, your harassment, and what you normally do to people.
“You are a coward that hides behind state power all the time. Wherever have you heard a person that’s being investigated by the PP making the silly demands you are making? Power has really ran to your head. I feel sorry for you,” she said.
On Monday the presidency released a statement, saying that Zuma should be allowed to see all the evidence in the state capture investigation, adding that Zuma’s legal team should also be allowed to question Madonsela’s witnesses… odd.
“President Jacob Zuma has written to the Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, requesting her to allow him or his legal representative to question other witnesses, determined by the Public Protector, who have appeared before,” the presidency’s statement read.
