Ajay to grill Jonas and Mentor

Ajay Gupta’s lawyer has confirmed that Ajay would apply for the right to cross-examine former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas and ex-ANC MP Vytjie Mentor at the state capture inquiry – a move that will put him under pressure to take the stand.

Former president Jacob Zuma’s lawyers have told deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo that he is still deciding whether he would make such an application‚ but intended to make and communicate his decision by Friday.

As yet‚ Zuma’s son Duduzane has not formally applied for his lawyers to cross-examine either Mentor or Jonas‚ who both implicated him as a key player in the Gupta family’s alleged involvement in state capture.

He has told the Daily Dispatch’s sister digital publication, TimesLIVE that he would testify at the inquiry if required to so‚ despite facing possible trial for alleged corruption on the basis of Jonas’s evidence.

Lawyers for the Zumas and the Guptas on Tuesday morning held a meeting behind closed doors with Zondo‚ which he described as urgent.

It was during this meeting‚ Zondo said‚ that Zuma and the Guptas’ lawyers informed him of their responses to being implicated by Jonas and Mentor.

Ajay Gupta will file an affidavit‚ detailing his sworn response to the allegations against him‚ by Friday.

Following Tuesday morning’s meeting with the Zuma and Gupta lawyers‚ Zondo addressed the applications for cross-examination bought by Zuma’s personal assistant Lakela Kaunda‚ as well as by Hawks officers “Captain Mtolo” and Major-General Zinhle Mnonopi.

Controversial arms deal advisor Fana Hlongwane‚ who Jonas says witnessed a Gupta brother’s alleged bid to bribe him has also applied for the right to cross-examine the former deputy finance minister.

Zuma’s lawyers have told Zondo that he is still deciding whether he will make such an application [to crossexamine witnesses]