Calls Grow To Review Jacob Zuma’s Presidential Benefits After Gupta Meeting

Former KwaZulu-Natal ANC secretary Bheki Mtolo has called on Parliament to review the benefits and privileges granted to former president Jacob Zuma following his recent meeting with fugitive Ajay Gupta in India.

Mtolo said Zuma’s conduct should be debated by the National Assembly, arguing that former heads of state should be held accountable for how they conduct themselves while receiving state-funded benefits.

Bheki Mtolo Questions Jacob Zuma’s Presidential Benefits

Zuma was recently seen at a Hindu temple in Haridwar, northern India, with Ajay Gupta, one of the Gupta brothers accused of being central figures in South Africa’s state capture scandal.

Ajay Gupta, together with his brothers Atul and Rajesh, left South Africa for Dubai after they became wanted in connection with corruption allegations linked to state capture. Attempts by South African authorities to extradite them have so far been unsuccessful.

Speaking during his weekly TikTok podcast, Mtolo’s Thoughts, Mtolo said Parliament should consider whether Zuma still qualifies for the benefits afforded to former presidents.

“I think South Africans and the national government, especially Parliament, must meet and discuss former president Jacob Zuma’s visit to India to meet the Guptas. The Guptas are fugitives from justice in this country. They are criminals. The former president has privileges as the former head of state. Now one thing that must be discussed is whether he still deserves those privileges.”

Mtolo argued that such benefits come with expectations regarding the conduct of former heads of state.

He also said government should have reviewed Zuma’s privileges when he was sentenced to more than 12 months’ direct imprisonment without the option of a fine.

“We made a mistake by ignoring his imprisonment and not revoking his privileges, and now we cannot ignore this one when a former president, who is taken care of by the state, visits a fugitive and sees nothing. I want to challenge the parties in Parliament to debate Zuma’s conduct. We must act and act decisively; otherwise our constitutional democracy will collapse.”

Political Analyst Weighs In On Zuma-Gupta Meeting

Political analyst Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast said he was not surprised by Zuma’s meeting with Ajay Gupta, given the former president’s stance on the State Capture Commission.

Breakfast said Zuma had previously opposed the commission and noted the close relationship between the Gupta family and the former president.

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He also suggested there was a possibility Zuma travelled to India to seek funding ahead of elections.

On Mtolo’s proposal to strip Zuma of his presidential benefits, Breakfast said constitutional provisions could make such action difficult.

“The Constitution is a living document which is subject to change; however, the difficulty is getting a two-thirds majority to tamper with the unwanted clauses.”

MK Party Defends Jacob Zuma

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party dismissed Mtolo’s remarks, accusing him of making political attacks after his time as ANC KwaZulu-Natal secretary.

MK Party spokesperson Sifiso Mhlangu said: “Bheki Mtolo is commenting from political wilderness following his short stint as ANC KZN secretary. He was the secretary when the ANC performed its lowest electoral achievement since our democracy. The ANC in KZN died under him.”

Mhlangu insisted Zuma’s presidential benefits were not under threat and urged Mtolo to focus his attention elsewhere.

He also claimed Mtolo should instead direct his criticism at “a president who will be behind bars for multiple counts of corruption, including keeping millions of undeclared dollars in his couches.”