Zuma tells Sunday Times ‘you keep lying about my name’

In a response to an article in the Sunday Times yesterday, former president Jacob Zuma used his Twitter account to accuse the paper of once again allegedly lying about him.

He tweeted: “You keep lying about my name @SundayTimesZA whose agenda are you serving? Are you unable to sell your newspaper without mentioning the Zuma name? I am still awaiting the title deed.”

You keep lying about my name @SundayTimesZA whose agenda are you serving? Are you unable to sell your newspaper without mentioning the Zuma name? I am still awaiting the title deed pic.twitter.com/GFia38g1Lo

— Jacob G Zuma (@PresJGZuma) January 7, 2019

Yesterday the paper reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa had requested a meeting with Zuma to discuss a number of pertinent issues ahead of the launch of the party’s election manifesto in Durban.

Ramaphosa was reportedly expected to raise concerns about the public comments made by Zuma, mainly on his Twitter account, as these were often seen as going against the ANC grain.

He had also reportedly been advised to discuss state capture and the numerous cases Zuma is currently embroiled in.

According to the publication, there have been fears that some Zuma supporters might try to embarrass Ramaphosa, as the manifesto launch will be happening in an area considered to be a Zuma stronghold.

They previously refused to support many ANC actions in favour of planning their own centred on Zuma.

The party’s national spokesperson, Zizi Kodwa, described the scheduled meeting as a mere consultation, comparing it to Ramaphosa’s other meetings with past ANC leadership.

However, Zuma appears to believe it was inaccurate reportage, and he referenced his Twitter demand to the Sunday Times from last year for a title deed to a house the newspaper once reported he owned in Dubai.

Last year, Zuma reminded the publication of a June 4 2017 report that alleged he owned property in Dubai and had Robert Mugabe as a neighbour. The report alleged that the Dubai mansion – with 10 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, nine reception rooms and space for 11 cars – was a gift from the Gupta brothers.

It also stated that the home, estimated to have a value of R330 million, was Zuma’s retirement property in the suburb of Emirates Hills.

No definitive proof, such as a title deed, to back up this revelation has ever emerged.

The @SundayTimesZA is correct that I have sold one of my properties. Seeing as I have a lot of legal fees to pay, I would appreciate if they could provide me with the title deed & address of the house I own in Dubai so that I can sell it because I don’t know anything about it pic.twitter.com/KpG5TuGYVS

— Jacob G Zuma (@PresJGZuma) December 16, 2018

(Compiled by Charles Cilliers)

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