The man accused of intimidating Zuma's second wife has threatened to go on a hunger strike as he fears will be poisoned.
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Durban - Steven Masunga, the man accused of intimidating President Jacob Zuma’s second wife, MaNtuli, is angry and has threatened to go on a hunger strike as he fears will be poisoned.
The Sunday Tribune visited Masunga on Thursday in the Camperdown police station holding cells where he has been kept since last Friday.
He was arrested after he allegedly tried to extort money from MaNtuli.
An angry Masunga questioned the motive behind his arrest, saying it was all MaNtuli’s plan to get back at him.
“They have to let me free. South Africa is a country governed by the law. Why start by arresting me instead of investigating my claims about MaNtuli?” he asked.
“If they release me tomorrow, who is going to pay for the time I have wasted here? Is MaNtuli going to pay me money for this? And she’s challenging a poor man and knows I cannot do anything about this,” he said.
Masunga asked how MaNtuli was sleeping at night knowing that an “innocent” man was languishing in jail for a crime he did not commit.
“It’s easy to be given poison in food. Poison may not kill me in one day, it may even take time… but it’s just working in your body,” he said.
“I’m embarking on a hunger strike tomorrow (Friday),” he said.
Masunga pleaded for his day in court.
“I want the world to know (about MaNtuli), and I want the media to come to Court A on Monday and hear my story.”
Masunga has refused to give a statement to the police, fearing it will be taken and given to MaNtuli to use against him.
“If I write a statement, they will take it to MaNtuli, and she can defend herself. She must be there in court so that if I am lying she can defend herself.”
When asked where he was on January 15, the date on which the state alleges he “unlawfully” compelled and threatened to kill and assault MaNtuli to arrange a “business meeting” with Zuma, Masunga said he was in Tanzania.
His passport is stamped January 19, 2014, as the date of his arrival in the country.
He said MaNtuli had laid charges against him based on an SMS that was not sent by him.
Masunga will appear in court again on Monday to apply for bail.
Sunday Tribune
