Representatives for the former president dismiss reports linking him to a 2010 dinner arranged by the convicted sex offender as “intellectually dishonest.”
The Jacob Zuma Foundation has issued a blistering response to media reports connecting the former South African president to Jeffrey Epstein. The controversy stems from a newly surfaced cache of emails showing Epstein facilitated a dinner for Zuma at the Ritz Hotel in London over a decade ago.
Denouncing the narrative as “textbook agenda-driven journalism,” the Foundation stated they would not engage in “speculative narrative-building.” They argued that the reports rely entirely on “third-party emails and retrospective guilt by association” rather than factual evidence of misconduct.
The attempt to smear President Zuma by proximity to the unrelated crimes of a third party is unethical, irresponsible and intellectually dishonest.
Details of the Ritz Gathering
The documents in question date to March 2010. They show Epstein’s network coordinating a dinner to coincide with Zuma’s state visit. An intermediary, citing Epstein’s recommendation, reached out to a Russian model to attend the event to “add some real glamour to the occasion.”
Subsequent emails confirm the event took place. One attendee wrote back to Epstein thanking him for the introduction to the model, noting she was a “delight,” and adding a positive observation about Zuma’s demeanor during the evening.
Epstein, who died by suicide in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking, had vast connections with global elites. Mere mention in his files has legally been established as insufficient proof of complicity in his crimes.
SOURCES: Jacob Zuma Foundation, Daily Maverick, BBC.
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