Deputy President Jacob Zuma will supply the answers to 35 questions put to him by the Scorpions investigation unit within the next two weeks, his office said on Monday.
”We would like to reiterate that there was never a deadline for the submission, and the deputy president was invited to respond at his earliest convenience, with a request that replies be sent to the institution preferably by the end of July,” a statement issued by the presidency read.
”The deputy president’s legal team is working on the matter and the replies should be ready for submission within the next two weeks.
”The media should appreciate that the questions are quite extensive and therefore require that a substantial amount of work and research be done.”
Zuma was aware of the urgency of the matter and would like to see a speedy conclusion of the investigation.
”We also wish to remind the media that the deputy president has not been subpoenaed to answer the questions, nor was he asked to submit an affidavit,” the statement read.
The Scorpions are investigating allegations that Zuma solicited a R500 000 bribe from a company involved in the country’s multi-billion rand arms deal.
Zuma had reportedly been given until Thursday last week to reply to 35 questions, that also cover his relationship with businessman Schabir Shaik, who holds interests in firms linked to the arms deal.
Zuma is angry the questions were leaked to the Sunday Times, and has claimed constant leaks from the Scorpions were ”designed to cast aspersions on my integrity”.
He has rejected the allegations.
National Director of Public Prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka, and Justice Minister Penuell Maduna have denied the questions were leaked by the unit. The Scorpions operate under Ngcuka. – Sapa