Cape Town – Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has called a meeting with Fana Hlongwane – controversial for his role in the arms deal – to test claims that Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jona lied when he said the Gupta family offered him a cabinet position.
BDlive on Wednesday reported that Madonsela said she would subpoena Hlongwane if the meeting did not materialise. Hlongwane was supposed to meet Madonsela under oath and not send a letter, and he needs to be cross-examined over the claims he made in the letter.
The Citizen newspaper published Hlongwane’s letter to the public protector on Tuesday, in which he asserted that he had been present at the said meeting with Jonas, adding that the meeting had taken place to sort out differences between himself and Jonas.
He further claimed that “a member of the Gupta family” had briefly entered the meeting place, but that there had been no such thing as a job offer on the table.
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“During the discussion a Gupta family member entered the room and then left,” Hlongwane’s letter read. “I categorically deny that there was ever a discussion, or offer, by anybody, of any governmental position to Deputy Finance Minister Jonas.”
Fin24’s attempts to obtain comment from Hlongwane or the Gupta family about the assertions were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, President Jacob Zuma will reportedly be interviewed by Madonsela this week for her investigation into allegations of state capture and undue influence over state matters of the Guptas.