Captured on camera
Out to distance himself from bullying claims
Mzwanele Manyi says he was not trying to influence evidence when he called acting director-general of Government Communications and Information Systems (GCIS) Phumla Williams but simply wanted to raise the issue of the chronology of events that were being presented.
On Monday, the former government spokesperson submitted an affidavit to the commission of inquiry into state capture explaining his phone call and text message to Williams during Friday’s tea break. Williams was testifying that the government’s advertising budget had been irregularly spent on The New AgeSABC breakfasts.
Manyi told her‚ via a text message‚ that these breakfasts did not take place during his tenure as director-general of GCIS.
“I think he is trying to influence my submission‚” Williams told commission head Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
Zondo had asked the inquiry lawyers to prepare documentation for him to decide whether to summon Manyi to explain himself. The commission’s legal team confirmed receiving a statement from Manyi about the incident.
In his affidavit, Manyi said Williams had testified about the bullying of the procurement team while at GCIS, but did not reveal who did the bullying.
“The lead investigator then asked Ms Phumla Williams to reveal the identity of the person who did the bullying. Williams said the bullying was done by the CFO, Mr Zweli Momeka ... I thought I should ask Phumla to simply manage her chronology of events to reflect the truthful and factual position to the effect that Mr Zweli Momeka and whatever he was alleged to have done are matters that happened after my era,” said Manyi.