#GuptaLeaks: How Guptas ‘targeted’ the presidency
The Guptas allegedly targeted officials in the presidency holding positions of personal trust close to President Jacob Zuma.
FILE PICTURE: The Union Buildings in Pretoria. Picture: Supplied.
AmaBhungane and Daily Maverick’s investigative unit, Scorpio, reported on Wednesday that at least four key officials from Zuma’s office, the head of the Presidential Protection Service, chief of staff, private secretary and a chief director in the deputy president’s office were allegedly targeted by the controversial family.
It is also alleged the officials in some instances appeared to have returned favours to the Guptas, even potentially undermining their official positions at the Union Buildings for the benefit of the Guptas.
“The fact that Saxonwold’s most influential family attempted to recruit people close to the president raises questions about the nature of their relationship with Zuma: were they trying to spy on him? Or were they putting in place a back channel allowing him to communicate with them via trusted intermediaries?” the report stated.
In response to the allegations levelled against them based on the emails, all four presidency officials denied any impropriety, though with the exception of one, Mogotladi ‘Mo’ Mogano, the chief director in the office of the deputy president, who said she would “be more vigilant and judicious in professional relationships” in future.
Read the full story here.
ALSO READ:
//
