Rajesh Gupta has identified himself as the only Gupta brother who was at the family’s Saxonwold home when former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas claims he was the target of an attempted R600 million bribe by the family. However, he insists that he never even spoke to him.
According to Rajesh, he insists that he only briefly walked into the room where Jonas was meeting with former president Jacob Zuma’s son‚ Duduzane Zuma and arms deal advisor Fana Hlongwane.Apparently, he did so to check on whether Duduzane would be available the following day.
“I did not introduce myself to anybody‚ nor did I participate in that meeting. I did not have any discussion with Mr Jonas at all‚” he states in an affidavit‚ which was filed as part of his failed application to cross-examine Jonas at the ongoing state capture commission of inquiry.
It is because of this warrant that Ajay Gupta was declared a fugitive.
Jonas had initially claimed that he had met with Ajay on the afternoon of October 23 2015‚ when Ajay allegedly tried to bribe him to accept then finance minister Nhlanhla Nene’s post. He later admitted in his testimony to the Zondo inquiry that he may have been mistaken‚ and could have met with Rajesh instead.
Jonas described in his evidence how a Gupta brother told him that the family was “in control of everything” and Zuma would do anything they told him to.
“He said you must understand that we are in control of everything. The National Prosecuting Authority‚ the Hawks‚ the National Intelligence Agency and the old man will do anything that we tell him to do‚” Jonas testified.
He also revealed that this Gupta brother, who he seems to be unsure of, between Ajay and Rajesh Gupta, threatened to kill him if he disclosed that the family had met with him‚ and tried to bribe him to take the finance minister position. This threat was apparently made in the presence of Duduzane and Hlongwane‚ Jonas said.
-Times Live
