Text message was not intended to influence evidence: Mzwanele Manyi
The former government spokesperson says he simply wanted to ensure Phumla Williams gave the correct chronology of events to the state capture inquiry
Former government spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi denies trying to influence evidence when he called acting Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) director-general Phumla Williams, saying he simply wanted to raise the issue of the chronology of events that were being presented at the Zondo commission. On Monday Manyi submitted an affidavit to the commission of inquiry into state capture explaining his phone call and text message to Williams during Friday’s tea break. Williams was testifying that the government’s advertising budget had been irregularly spent on The New Age-SABC breakfasts. Manyi told her‚ via a text message‚ that these breakfasts did not take place during his tenure as director-general of GCIS.
"I think he is trying to influence my submission‚" Williams told commission head Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. Zondo had asked the inquiry lawyers to prepare documentation for him to decide whether to summon Manyi to explain himself. The commission’s l...
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