Duduzane is open to testifying
Former President Jacob Zuma’s son Duduzane says he will testify at the state capture inquiry if he is required to do so.
“If I need to‚ then I will‚” he said in an interview at his second appearance on two charges of culpable homicide on Thursday at the Randburg magistrate’s court.
His father‚ former president Jacob Zuma, who is currently deciding how he will respond to multiple claims that he allowed the Gupta family to choose certain of his cabinet ministers‚ was in court for Duduzane’s appearance.
The case‚ which relates to the deaths of two women following a February 2014 collision between Duduzane’s Porsche and a minibus taxi‚ was postponed until October 26.
This is to finalise all outstanding pre-trial issues so a date for the trial can be set.
On Friday former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas will take the stand at the Zondo Commission’s inquiry into state capture‚ to give testimony that reportedly directly implicates Duduzane in corruption.
Jonas has stated that Duduzane arranged an October 2015 meeting during which Ajay Gupta allegedly attempted to bribe Jonas into taking the finance minister position and serving the Gupta family’s business interests.
Duduzane has previously denied that these claims are true.
He has been charged with corruption in relation to Jonas’s evidence‚ which was documented in former public protector Thuli Madonsela’s “State of Capture” report.
Both Duduzane and his father have yet to give sworn evidence in response to the state capture claims against them.
In court this on Thursday morning‚ both appeared relaxed and cheerful.
Zuma‚ like his son‚ is also facing corruption charges in connection with the multibillion-rand arms deal.
He is due back in court in November.