02.02.2026 22:51
Newly released documents regarding billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in prison while awaiting trial for charges of sexual exploitation and establishing a prostitution network involving underage girls in the U.S., also mentioned former South African President Jacob Zuma.
Documents released regarding Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison while being held on charges of sexual abuse in the U.S., drew attention to the mention of former South African President Jacob Zuma. It is claimed that Zuma shared a dinner with Epstein in 2010. The Zuma Foundation denied these allegations.
FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN LEADER'S NAME IN EPSTEIN DOCUMENTS
After U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that they had shared more than 3 million new files related to the investigation into Epstein with the public, Zuma's name also caught attention in the documents.
MET WITH EPSTEIN DURING OFFICIAL VISIT
In the email correspondence included in the documents, it was claimed that Zuma met with Jeffrey Epstein during a state visit to England in 2010 for a dinner. An email sent by Mark Lloyd, a close associate of Epstein, dated March 5, 2010, stated, "I was asked to organize a small dinner for South African President Jacob Zuma tomorrow evening at the Ritz Hotel."
It was suggested in the correspondence that a Russian model be invited to the dinner "to add allure to the atmosphere," and it was claimed that Epstein was personally involved in this organization.
JACOB ZUMA FOUNDATION DENIED THE ALLEGATIONS
Jacob Zuma Foundation Spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi rejected the claims that Zuma had any connection to Epstein or his activities, describing them as "baseless" and a "smear campaign" in a press statement.
Manyi stated that the mention of Zuma's name in the documents does not imply that any crime was committed, saying, "It is unethical, irresponsible, and lacking in intellectual integrity to attempt to associate Zuma with unrelated crimes committed by a third party. The Jacob Zuma Foundation will not participate in speculative narratives disguised as investigative journalism."
JEFFREY EPSTEIN CASE
Epstein, who was charged with sexually abusing dozens of girls under the age of 18, including as young as 14, and creating a prostitution network, was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan, New York, on August 10, 2019.
The released Epstein case files included famous names such as Prince Andrew, U.S. President Donald Trump, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, actor Kevin Spacey, singer Michael Jackson, illusionist David Copperfield, lawyer Alan Dershowitz, and former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.
The FBI also stated that as a result of its investigation with the U.S. Department of Justice, no evidence was found that a "client list" of famous individuals was maintained, and it was concluded that Epstein, who was alleged to have been murdered to cover up the crimes of individuals including government officials, celebrities, and businesspeople, actually committed suicide in his cell.