Thapelo Lekabe

By Thapelo Lekabe

Senior Digital Journalist


Zuma’s ‘favourite son’ should be writing affidavits, not open letters – Save SA

The campaign says the president’s son should be preparing his submission to the commission of inquiry into state capture.


The Save SA campaign has described the open letter written by President Jacob Zuma’s son‚ Duduzane, to ANC MP Pravin Gordhan as a “bizarre attempt to deflect attention away from the increasing evidence against him and his cronies of their central role in state capture and corruption”.

Instead of explaining his role in alleged state capture, Save SA said Zuma’s “favourite son” resorted to intimidation‚ incitement and hate speech against the former finance minister.

“Zuma Junior should not be writing open letters at this time – he should be writing affidavits to explain why he has robbed South Africans of key assets, partnered with a criminal enterprise and sold our sovereignty.

“He should be preparing his submission to the commission of inquiry into state capture‚ when it eventually happens. That is the ‘letter’ we are all waiting for and which prompts us to ask‚ in the meantime: Duduzane Zuma‚ how do YOU sleep at night?” the campaign said in a statement on Monday.

In his letter, Zuma accused Gordhan of using numerous state bodies to try to destroy him and the Guptas despite having “no proof of misconduct”. He said the Hawks’ investigation into his relationship with the controversial family produced no evidence of wrongdoing, but it is unclear which probe Zuma was referring to.

He also revealed in the letter that all his bank accounts had been closed due to his business relationship with the Guptas, and said he reserved the right to pursue legal action against the MP.

“All my bank accounts have been closed by your ‘friends’ in the banking industry. Likely with your support,” Zuma said.

Save SA said the public attacks on Gordhan by Duduzane and elder brother Edward were increasingly becoming the trademark of the Zuma family.

On Friday, Edward heckled Gordhan in Pietermaritzburg while he was addressing the Gandhi Memorial Lecture in Mountain Rise.

Gordhan on Monday said he had referred the open letter to his lawyers to look at.

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