Fana Hlongwa denies being present during Jonas ‘bribe’

Hlongwana appeared at the state capture commission on Wednesday to respond to statements made by Jonas.

According to Jonas' testimony, Hlongwane - along with Duduzane Zuma - was present at a meeting held at the Gupta residence in Saxonwold on October 23, 2015, where Jonas was allegedly offered R600 million if he accepted the position of finance minister.

During his testimony in October, Zuma's son told the commission that himself, Hlongwane, and Jonas had met to clear up rumours making the rounds at the time that Hlongwane had allegedly blackmailed Jonas.

Hlongwa backed Zuma's claims of the meeting.

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"The main thrust of it was that I'm alleged to be blackmailing the gentleman," Hlongwa said.

When asked about whether or not he had been present during the alleged bribing he responded: "I was not in business with the Guptas at that time or any point ever.

"At the meeting which I attended, chair, with Duduzane Zuma and the gentleman no such offers were made. I've heard all other manners of things in his statement that I'm not familiar with.

Hlongwa says he has no association with the Guptas, hence why he looks dimly on any person who seeks to draw him into any narrative of state capture.

"Actually, chair, if I may say I am peripheral to this matter. Really peripheral it so happened that the meeting took place at the place which happens to be controversial.

"They were not particularly familiar to me. My contact point was Duduzane Zuma.”

Last year, former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor issued an apology to Hlongwane for mistaking him with Brian Hlongwa during her testimony at the commission.

Mentor had incorrectly recalled being introduced to Hlongwane by Duduzane on an Emirates flight to Dubai in her written statements and oral presentation.

"I was not in business with the Guptas and I am not in business now."