Jacob Zuma's 'amnesia' has social media up in arms
"I don't know chair", "I can't remember chair" were Jacob Zuma's responses to most questions put to him by deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo at the state capture inquiry in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
Social media could not help but notice his "amnesia", with some questioning how he carried out his presidential duties being so forgetful.
In the first leg of the testimony, the commission's evidence leader, Paul Pretorius, and Judge Zondo mostly focused on trying to establish the real reasons behind the redeployment of former GCIS chief executive Themba Maseko to public services and administration. Maseko alleged he was moved because he refused Ajay Gupta favours, which would have seen him unduly benefit from government.
The former president could not recall why Maseko was redeployed.
"At times, the changes would come because the DGs would perform better in one place and would therefore be replaced, but I can't remember on this particular DG what was the problem."
He was also asked if he had used his power to benefit the Guptas. "I don't know," was his answer. "I don't know, really, because I have never participated in the discussion on that matter with government people."
Jacob Zuma spent his second day before deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo at the commission of inquiry into state capture on July 16 2019. Zuma answered some questions well, while other answers were questionable.
LISTEN | Day 2 - Zuma's great denial
2000's "No recollection... At all... Absolutely"
— Kenna (@SV818406) July 16, 2019
1990's "I remember vividly, I met Thabo,... I told him..."#StateCaptureInquiry #JacobZuma
This is a waste of time and state resources. You can't say angazi, angikhumbuli! But you can remember things happened 1990! I suspect commissioner Zondo is scared of Zuma why he call him into order to answer questions? #ZumaTestifies
— BafanaBZ Manana (@BafanaBz) July 16, 2019
I really want to believe #JacobZuma dont remember everything tht happend around 2004-20190. But him remembering 1990 things make this difficult. #StateCaptureInquiry
— Madumetša (@TeffuJoy) July 16, 2019
#JacobZuma knows @RediTlhabi is a spy making movies in America, remembers all the details from 70's but he doesn't remember visiting China with the Guptas or meeting Vytie Mentor
— Page (@prin0164) July 16, 2019
Jacob Zuma remembers everything about 1990 but nothing of 2010. What a legend #StateCapetureInquiry #JacobZuma
— KinG_JAY_SOAB (@JACOB_SOAB) July 16, 2019
#ZumaTestifies
— Lethiwe (@Lethiwe40748874) July 16, 2019
Former president JG Zuma's amnesia is on steroids. pic.twitter.com/dmvzmh557U
Where are the minutes for the meeting where Chabane requested Maseki to be moved?Why is Zuma relying on his memory?#ZumaTestifies
— sakhi (@biggsmallz1) July 16, 2019
Former president Jacob Zuma continues his testimony at the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture on July 17 2019.