Zuma inquiry: South African ex-leader claims to have received death threats

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Former South African President Jacob Zuma said that he and his family had received death threats following his testimony during an investigation into corruption under his reign.

He said Tuesday at the judge's investigation that the threats had followed his testimony the day before.

In his previous testimony, he stated that he had been the target of badbadination attempts in the past.

He was forced to leave office in early 2018 amid widespread allegations of cronyism and abuse of power, which he denies.

Zuma was replaced by his deputy Cyril Ramaphosa, who promised to fight corruption and described the nine years of his predecessor as "wasted".

On Monday, Mr. Zuma, 77, said that these charges were part of a "plot" of several decades away from the political scene.

The investigation concerns allegations that Zuma oversaw a corrupt network during his tenure.

The charges relate mainly to her relationship with the controversial Gupta family, accused of influencing cabinet appointments and winning lucrative public procurement through bribery.

Mr. Zuma and the family deny any wrongdoing.

What happened on Tuesday?

The investigation began in a dramatic manner when Mr. Zuma informed the judge that his personal badistant had received a threatening phone call to kill him and his children. His lawyer was also threatened, Zuma said.

Raymond Zondo, deputy chief justice of the country that chairs the investigation, said the death threats were "totally unacceptable" and that it was important to protect the witnesses.

In his testimony, Mr. Zuma categorically denied discussing Cabinet appointments with the Gupta family.

"No, never," he says.

Zuma on the "conspiracy" against him

"I have been vilified, presumed to be the king of the corrupt," Zuma said on Monday in the investigation.

He criticized what he called a conspiracy of several decades against him.

He hinted that the United Kingdom and the United States had participated – and were still part of – an elaborate plot to discredit him, even as he was trying to bring about political and economic change in Africa. from South.

Other foreign-trained agents have tried to poison him, said Zuma, without naming them.