The net is closing in on South Africa First Lady Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma, who has allegedly admitted to knowing about a plot to poison the president.
Fastfacts has learnt from four well-placed sources – both in law-enforcement and in Zuma family circles – that President Jacob Zuma’s estranged wife, known as MaNtuli, will “soon” be charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
The authorities are still on the trail of her alleged accomplices, which Fastfacts has learnt includes a flamboyant KwaZulu-Natal businessman. Three of the four sources confirmed that other local and foreign individuals are also on the radar of investigators.
A docket is now believed to be with the National Prosecuting Authority and is being dealt with by senior prosecutors. Law-enforcement sources told Fastfacts Reporter that MaNtuli has also made a statement to investigators and her affidavit contains “some very interesting names”.
“This thing (plot) was big,” said a source familiar with the investigation.
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Another well-placed law enforcement source said: “It’s true. She is going to be charged with conspiracy to commit murder. She hasn’t been charged because we haven’t been able to nab the man (or) people that are behind the plot.”
Although two independent sources close to the investigation told Fastfacts that the National Prosecuting Authority top brass were fully aware of the matter, spokesperson Luvuyo Mfaku denied this.
“Regrettably we cannot comment. The matter has not been brought to our attention. [Provincial prosecutions director] Advocate [Moipone] Noko is not giving any prosecutorial guidance to police on the matter,” said Mfaku.
A separate investigation is also underway to determine to find out whether any NPA staff leaked information on the MaNtuli investigations, our reporter in South Africa has been informed.
A source close to the Zuma family said suspicions about a possible poison plot arose when Zuma became very ill in June last year.
“At some point we noticed that ubaba was very sick and it had nothing to do with the routine check-ups. He was really sick,” said a law-enforcement insider.
When it became clear that he had been poisoned, suspicions fell on his wives. Most fingers pointed in the direction of MaNtuli, who then allegedly crumbled and confessed to having knowledge of the plot.
