Former cabinet spokesman has directly implicated President Jacob Zuma in a push to give government business to the Gupta family.
Themba Maseko, former CEO of the Government Communications and Information System, has told of how Zuma personally called him to ensure that he met the Gupta brothers at their Saxonwold compound in Johannesburg.
"He said: 'We will get you, we will replace you with people who will co-operate.'"
A year later Maseko was removed from his position. "My removal was in 2011 and I am not sure if I could directly link it to this," he said.
Gupta family spokesman Gary Naidoo rejected Maseko's allegations, saying: "We are amazed by Mr Maseko's six-year-old allegations which he has chosen to share at this particular time with a receptive media keen to continue the denigration of the Gupta family."
Naidoo asked if Maseko had reported the matter to his political principals and if he did, he challenged him to produce proof.
"Much like Vytjie Mentor, we believe the 2010 allegations to be unfounded and part of an ongoing campaign to fuel an already vicious politically-driven attack on president Zuma, using the Gupta family as a proxy," said Naidoo.
Presidency spokesman Bongani Majola had not responded to the Sunday Times' questions at the time of going to press.
Zuma backers insist he is not to blame for the Guptas' approaches.
'Zuma told me to help Guptas'
Themba Maseko, former CEO of the Government Communications and Information System, has told of how Zuma personally called him to ensure that he met the Gupta brothers at their Saxonwold compound in Johannesburg.
"He said: 'We will get you, we will replace you with people who will co-operate.'"
A year later Maseko was removed from his position. "My removal was in 2011 and I am not sure if I could directly link it to this," he said.
Gupta family spokesman Gary Naidoo rejected Maseko's allegations, saying: "We are amazed by Mr Maseko's six-year-old allegations which he has chosen to share at this particular time with a receptive media keen to continue the denigration of the Gupta family."
Naidoo asked if Maseko had reported the matter to his political principals and if he did, he challenged him to produce proof.
"Much like Vytjie Mentor, we believe the 2010 allegations to be unfounded and part of an ongoing campaign to fuel an already vicious politically-driven attack on president Zuma, using the Gupta family as a proxy," said Naidoo.
Presidency spokesman Bongani Majola had not responded to the Sunday Times' questions at the time of going to press.
Zuma backers insist he is not to blame for the Guptas' approaches.
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