Hlongwane rubbishes Jonas testimony
Businessman says meeting was about rumours that he was blackmailing the former deputy finance minister
BUSINESSMAN Fana Hlongwane yesterday disputed the bulk of the evidence previously submitted by former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas to the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.
This includes accusations that he was present when an offer of money and a lucrative ministerial position was made by a Gupta brother.
Hlongwane took the stand and had to account after he, alongside former president Jacob Zuma’s son, Duduzane Zuma, were implicated in Jonas’s testimony at the commission.
Last year, Jonas said he had been called to a meeting at the Gupta compound in Saxonwold by Zuma jr.
He said the first part of the meeting took place at the Hyatt Hotel in Sandton,
but was later moved to Saxonwold at Zuma’s request.
Jonas also said present at that meeting was Hlongwane, and that they were later joined by a Gupta brother whom he recognised as Ajay Gupta but he was not certain.
He then indicated that the Gupta brother offered him the position of finance minister, as the former president was to reshuffle his Cabinet. He was told that he would be given R600 000 in cash for his troubles and R600 million later, if he agreed to take up the position. The offer was on condition that he agreed to help the family.
Jonas said he was shocked and declined the offer, highlighting that Zuma jr and Hlongwane did not speak during the meeting.
Hlongwane’s version and that of Zuma, however, differ from what was submitted by Jonas.
While all three agree that the meeting took place at the Gupta residence – the dispute now is around whether a Gupta brother was present, and if a job offer was made.
Hlongwane said the reason for the October 23 meeting was to sort out issues and rumours of blackmail against him.
He said for a while Zuma jr had been telling him about rumours circulating that he was trying to blackmail Jonas. He said he agreed for Zuma to organise the meeting, but was not comfortable with a meeting taking place at the Hyatt and requested they move.
“Duduzane alerted me that he had been hearing rumours that I was allegedly blackmailing Mr Jonas.
“He mentioned this on several occasions. I did not take it up at the time because of the relationship I had with Jonas.”