Zuma yet to answer scorpions
2003-08-02 16:27
Cape Town - Deputy President Jacob Zuma was on Saturday yet to submit answers to a series of questions from the Scorpions concerning his financial affairs.
His spokeswoman Lakela Kaunda told press the deputy president was "still in the process" of answering the questions.
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 to reply to 35 questions, that also cover his relationship with businessman Schabir Shaik, who holds interests in firms linked to the arms deal.
The deputy president said on Wednesday night his legal team was drafting a response to the questions the Scorpions put to him earlier this month, but denied any deadline had been set for the responses.
"I shall respond at my earliest convenience," he said.
Zuma is angry the questions were leaked to the Sunday Times last weekend, 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.
Scorpions spokesman Sipho Ngwema declined to comment on Saturday on whether the answers had been received or when the unit was expecting them.
- SAPA