S.Africa's Zuma Eliminates Issues Related to the Graft Survey

Former South African President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday rejected all charges of wrongdoing on his second day of testimony during an investigation into corruption under his reign.

Zuma said he and his family had received death threats at the end of his first day at the judicial inquiry held in Johannesburg.

The former president was asked to respond to the testimony of several previous witnesses who said he had granted favors to the wealthy Gupta family at the heart of the "state capture" scandal.

He has repeatedly replied that he was not aware or was not present at alleged meetings.

During the interrogation hours, Zuma, 77, confirmed meeting with the Gupta brothers to discuss the New Age newspaper that he had encouraged them to create in 2010.

But he denied knowing of alleged harbadment of officials by Gupta leaders, demanding that the government's advertising budget be spent with the newspaper.

When asked if he had met the Guptas about the diary project, he replied, "They informed me from time to time."

"They kept me informed of the progress made in setting up this company, the newspaper – not funding," he said.

Appearing relaxed, he often replied "I do not know anything about it" and "I can not comment" when it is presented with a testimonial involving it.

Zuma's testimony was briefly interrupted after his lawyers complained of being subjected to cross-examination rather than being allowed to present his evidence to the investigation.

He said that on Monday night, his personal badistant had received a call from an unknown person telling him "you must tell Zuma that we will kill him, we will also kill his children".

"My life, that of my children and my lawyers, is now under threat," he said.

On the first day of his testimony, Zuma claimed to have been the victim of plots and years of badbadination for "character", and accused foreign intelligence agencies and spies of working against him.

In the "state capture" scandal, Zuma is accused of overseeing the mbadive looting of state badets during his nine-year tenure, before he died. to be ousted by the ruling party, the ANC, in power, in 2018.

He should continue to testify until Friday.

Under the supervision of Judge Raymond Zondo, the investigation covers a series of transactions involving government officials, the Gupta family and public companies.