The Jacob Zuma Foundation has dismissed a recent Daily Maverick report linking former president Jacob Zuma to emails contained in newly released Jeffrey Epstein investigation files, describing the claims as misleading, unethical and based on speculation rather than evidence.
US authorities on Friday published the latest batch of documents connected to the probe into the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The files reference several prominent global figures, including US President Donald Trump, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and British billionaire Richard Branson.
Among the material are emails mentioning a private dinner during Zuma’s 2010 state visit to the United Kingdom.
According to the documents, the dinner was allegedly organised at the Ritz Hotel by individuals linked to Epstein, with reports suggesting that a Russian model was invited to attend. At the time, Zuma was in London on an official visit at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II and was accompanied by his wife, Tobeka Madiba Zuma.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Jacob Zuma Foundation criticised the report, saying the so-called revelations relied on “innuendo, third-party emails and guilt by association” and did not allege or prove any unlawful or improper conduct by Zuma.
The foundation argued that the inclusion of Zuma’s name in correspondence does not establish any direct relationship with Epstein and warned against what it described as an attempt to unfairly damage the former president’s reputation.
While Daily Maverick reported on the emails, it acknowledged that the documents do not accuse Zuma of wrongdoing or confirm any direct ties to Epstein.
The foundation maintained that linking Zuma to Epstein’s crimes without evidence is irresponsible, adding that such reporting risks conflating mere references with culpability — a leap it says is both unfair and unfounded.