Zuma’s Zimu: free of blame

THE article “Firm tied to Zuma aide in plum Eskom deal” (May 7), was inaccurate and misleading.

The facts, which were shared with the Sunday Times by Silas Zimu and Cape Gate Marepha, will prove this.

Granted, Zimu’s close proximity to President Jacob Zuma as his energy adviser opens him up to public scrutiny. This should, however, be done in a fair and objective fashion.

Here are the facts: Zimu resigned from Cape Gate Marepha through an e-mail communication to executive chairman Edwin Phala to eliminate any conflict of interest, perceived or real, between his work as energy adviser to the president and his nonexecutive director role at the company.

Zimu wishes to reiterate that he had not attended any board meetings of Cape Gate Marepha since March 2015, playing no role in the company’s business activities. A record of attendance was sent to the newspaper to this effect.

Zimu welcomes a DA application for access to tender documents. He believes this will put the matter to rest once and for all and demonstrate he played no role in Eskom awarding the contract to Cape Gate Marepha. — Khaya Buthelezi, on behalf of Zimu, Pretoria