Zuma's son denies Panday ties
Durban – President Jacob Zum's son, Edward, has distanced himself from controversial Durban businessman Thoshan Panday.
His denials came on Wednesday after News24 published the contents of a secret draft audit report that found that key police officials in the province had allegedly been bribed by Panday."I have never been his business partner, nor am I his friend," Zuma junior said.
"I just know him as another Durban businessman like any other, and knowing him does not make him my business partner."
His stance stands in contrast to a range of media reports that linked him to Panday.
Moreover, Panday was one of about 500 guests who attended Edward Zuma's glitzy wedding in October 2011.
When quizzed about this Zuma junior said: "He was a guest of a guest, nothing more."
The Sunday Tribune reported in March 2012 that KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major-General Johan Booysen had accused the younger Zuma of exerting pressure on him to release a R15m payment that had been frozen because of an investigation into Panday.
It was reported that Edward Zuma met Booysen at the provincial police headquarters on June 6 2011.
At the time, Zuma admitted that the meeting took place, but on Wednesday he denied that it had happened.
"I met him at a SAPS event and chatted with him casually, but I never met him in his office. I don't ever recall meeting in his office as reported by the media.
"If Thoshan Panday has committed a crime, then he should face the full might of the law. This has nothing to do with me.
"The allegations that Booysen was charged because he was investigating Panday also have nothing to do with me."
'I don’t even know where the guy lives'
Zuma insisted that he has never even spoken to Panday.
"I don’t even know where the guy lives. I have spoken to Booysen and I have nothing against him.
"People should stop making references to a business and personal relationship existing between me and Panday, because there isn't one."
At the time, Booysen was quoted as saying that Edward Zuma had been wearing a striped shirt and had come alone to the meeting.
"I had never met him before or after this incident," Booysen had said.
"He said he was there to elicit assistance for Thoshan Panday. Edward Zuma claimed he was a silent partner in Panday's business and had invested R900 000.
"He said he wanted the R15m unfrozen because he was not getting his dividends from Panday...
"I refused, saying I would be party to corruption and would not go down that road. I also advised Edward to get his money out and take his business elsewhere. I immediately reported the matter to my superiors upon his exit. I have not heard from him again."
This article first appeared on News24 – see here
