LISTEN: Guptas ‘threatened to kill’ Jonas
Former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas has told the commission of inquiry into state capture that Ajay Gupta threatened to kill him in October 2015.
This was part of his testimony on the third day of the commission on Friday.
“At the end of the meeting, Mr Gupta repeated that they had information on me and if I suggested that the meeting had occurred they would kill me.”
In his explosive testimony, Jonas said former president Jacob Zuma’s son Duduzane invited him to a meeting at the Hyatt Hotel in Sandton in October 2015. The meeting later moved to the Gupta’s home in Saxonworld.
Jonas testified that said he was not aware of the purpose of the meeting or who would be in attendance.
He said Duduzane Zuma indicated they needed to go to a quieter place, as the Hyatt was crowded, and there were other people who would join them.
Jonas was then allegedly driven to the Gupta compound where he also met up with businessman Fana Hlongwane.
He says a man, whom he assumed was Ajay Gupta based on pictures in the media, arrived and without any introduction proposed to appoint him as the Minister of Finance in place of Nhlanhla Nene.
“He said everything they do is legal, and that they create jobs and contribute to the economy. He said at the moment they earn about R6 billion from the fiscus, through various entities including Eskom, Transnet and government departments. He said they wanted to increase the amount to R8 billion and they thought I could be helpful in this regard.”
Jonas further alleged that Ajay Gupta told him that Treasury, under the leadership of Nene, was a stumbling block for their growth and that they intended to replace some of the officials, including the director-general.
“As I was walking to the door of the house, Mr Gupta directed me to the bar area and said they were serious about offering me R600 000 and that it would be deposited into an account of my choice. He said they could open an account for me and I could stash it in Dubai. He said to show they were serious, and I quote, ‘I can give you R600 000 now’ and asked ‘Do you have a bag or can I give you something to put it in.’ I indicated that I don’t want money and that I thought he was going to tell me exactly what they do.”
Listen below: