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This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.

Questions for President Thabo Mbeki

Questions for the Hon. President Thabo Mbeki regarding his meeting with Mac Maharaj on 23 rd August 2003

Ø. Mac Maharaj says he rang you circa 22nd August, that he said he wanted to discuss something with you, that you did not inquire as to what the matter might be about, and that he suggested that you see him at him home in Pretoria on Saturday 23rd at 2.00 pm.

Ø. That he met with you, that he said words to the effect that "I have not come here about my personal problem. I have come because I do not understand the conduct of the Scorpions, the abuse of power that is going on." That he handed you Mo Shaik's reconstructed file on Bulelani Ngcuka, then Director of the NPA, with the documentation from which Mo Shaik's Operation Bible unit in South Africa had reached the conclusion in 19988/89 that Ngcuka was "most probably" an apartheid spy.

Ø. Maharaj says you looked through the file, handed it back to him and asked him what he (Maharaj) thought ought to be done.

Ø. Maharaj says that he suggested that you might perhaps set up a small committee comprised of members of the NIA and other intelligence services and might consider making Mo Shaik part of that team to search the archives and produce a fully evaluated report on the matter.

Ø. That you responded, "Good, I'll think about it."

Ø. Maharaj also says that he told you that he had heard rumors that Penuell Maduna, the Minister of Justice & Bulelani Ngcuka were going to hold a press conference that day to say that the NPA had a prima facie case on corruption against the then Deputy President, Jacob Zuma, but that the NPA would not prosecute because it was not a winnable case

Ø. And that you responded with words to the effect: "Is that so?"

Ø. Maharaj says that he and you parted "on the basis that if there was anything new I (Maharaj) would tell him, that we should keep an open mind."

Ø. Maharaj further says  that when he got into his car at approx 3.00 pm he turned on Radio 702 radio, which was carrying the press conference he had alluded to; that he immediately rang you back to inform you but that your switchboard said that you were unavailable. That he left a message asking you to call him back at your convenience.

Ø. That you called him back at approx 4.00 pm, that he told you that the press conference had taken place & that you replied with word o the effect: "Oh, is that so. Thanks for telling me. I'm going to make sure that I immediately get a transcript."

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