The former head of the Government Communication and Information\u00a0System has fingered President Jacob Zuma as having played a key role in driving state business to the Gupta family, the Sunday Times reported.<\/p>\n
The report said former GCIS head Themba Maseko said Zuma had arranged a meeting for him to \u201chelp\u201d the Guptas.<\/p>\n
In the past week, Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas and former ANC MP Vytie Mentor have lifted the lid on the purported extent of the Gupta influence.<\/p>\n
According to the report, Zuma phoned Maseko directly to ensure he met the Gupta brothers.<\/p>\n
This flies in the face of the president\u2019s assertions in Parliament that he had no knowledge of the family soliciting government favours.<\/p>\n
Maseko said when he met the Guptas they asked the GCIS to spend state money on advertising in The New Age\u00a0<\/em>newspaper.<\/p>\n The family is purported to have said that they could exercise influence over ministers to buy advertising in the newspaper.<\/p>\n When Maseko declined a follow-up meeting, a heated exchange between him and Ajay Gupta is said to have ensued, with the latter saying: \u201cI\u2019m not asking you, I\u2019m telling you.\u201d<\/p>\n Maseko was later shifted from his position as GCIS CEO.<\/p>\n News24<\/a><\/p>\n Ranking Zuma\u2019s most powerful allies and opponents in the ANC<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018For the ANC, it\u2019s Zuma first and the South African people last\u2019: Maimane<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Zuma responds to Gupta allegations<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n ANC has not discussed Zuma recall: Mantashe<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore on politics<\/h3>\n