Zuma in court in leg irons
THE movements of former president Jacob Zuma’s son Duduzane are set to be monitored by the State after he was released on bail of R100 000 following his appearance on corruption charges yesterday.
Duduzane briefly appeared at the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Joburg yesterday in relation to his alleged involvement in the bribery attempts by the Guptas to former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas in 2016.
He arrived in shackles to a media contingent outside and inside the courtroom, before he was formally charged with a count of corruption and an alternative count of conspiracy to commit corruption.
The eldest Gupta brother, Ajay, is alleged to have offered Jonas the post of finance minister together with R600 000 in cash if he agreed, in a move that has been claimed to be one of the controversial family’s boldest attempts to capture the Treasury. While Duduzane had confirmed having been part of the meeting – which also included businessman Fana Hlongwane – he denied that Jonas was offered the ministerial post or that there were talks about plans to fire then finance minister Nhlanhla Nene – who has since been reappointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
According to Duduzane’s charge sheet, he is accused of playing a central role in securing the meeting.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said there was already an arrangement for Duduzane to hand himself over to the Johannesburg Central police station before he was granted bail, after the State asked for a six-month postponement.
“The case has been postponed to January 24. We have asked for a lengthy postponement because of the nature of investigations that still need to be conducted.
“The conditions for bail are that he has to hand over his passport to the state, and when he needs to travel out of town he needs to consult with the investigating officer,” Mjonondwane said.
Outside the court, a standoff erupted between journalists and members of Black First Land First, who tried to shield Duduzane from the media.
The 34-year-old is set to once again appear in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on separate charges relating to culpable homicide.
The charges are in relation to a vehicle accident in which two people died in February 2014 when Duduzane’s Porsche collided with a taxi on the M1 in Joburg.