Zuma denies wrongdoing over Gupta family ties
Former president Jacob Zuma has told the commission of inquiry into state capture that there was nothing wrong with his friendship with the Gupta family.
Zuma, who appeared before the commission for the first time on Monday, is expected to testify the whole week.
He has been implicated by at least nine people who have linked him to the alleged capture of different parts of the state by the Guptas.
Zuma asked to address the commission before being questioned by the evidence leaders.
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Zuma admitted to the inquiry that it was his idea that the Gupta family start The New Age newspaper and ANN7 television channel.
He said the country needed a progressive media platform.
"When this paper (The New Age) was operating and really being appreciated in the country to bring about an alternative voice I then sat - I was thinking of pushing them further - so I said to them: ‘This is very successful what about a TV channel?'. I suggested the paper to them. I suggested the channel.
"Somebody can then we are abusing this friendship it was never the other way around, it was me who put them into trouble."
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