Amid calls for a speedy investigation and his suspension, it remained to be seen on Wednesday whether Deputy President Jacob Zuma will provide answers to the 35 questions put to him by the Scorpions.
The special unit is investigating his alleged involvement in South Africa’s multi-billion rand arms deal.
The Scorpions have given Zuma until Thursday to provide them with answers to the questions, which were sent to the deputy president’s Durban attorneys on July 9.
President Thabo Mbeki has called for a speedy conclusion of the probe.
”You can’t have it dragging on for ever. The sooner the matter is concluded the better,” Mbeki said.
He said he had also conveyed this sentiment to Justice Minister Penuell Maduna.
Mbeki expressed concern about the allegations and counter-accusations on the issue reported in the media over the past few days.
”I really do wish that this matter could move forward as speedily as possible so that the thing could get resolved, whichever way.”
The Sunday Times published the questions Zuma was asked to answer on his alleged misconduct, incurring his wrath.
This was ”totally unacceptable and despicable”, the deputy president said.
”Despite my silence… there have been constant leaks of information to the media, which was clearly designed to cast aspersions on my integrity.”
National Director of Public Prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka, under whose office the Scorpions unit operates, has denied the questions were leaked by the unit, as has Justice Minister Penuell Maduna.
Scorpions’s spokesperson Sipho Ngwema said most of the questions to Zuma related to his relationship with his financial adviser Schabir Shaik — himself under investigation regarding the arms deal — and Shaik’s company, Nkobi Holdings.
The main allegation against Zuma is that he tried to solicit R500 000 from a company which benefited from the arms deal.
In return, he allegedly offered to protect the firm during subsequent investigations.
Zuma reportedly said he would co-operate fully with the Scorpions.
However, his spokesperson Lakela Kaunda was not available for comment, and had not responded to messages by late afternoon. – Sapa