FILE: Aerial view of looting in KwaZulu-Natal
According to Zuma, he only wanted to show his contacts on WhatsApp that he was also aware of what was happening in the country, referring to the 2021 unrest.
He added that he only posted the video on his WhatsApp status and doesn’t know how it was spread further.
State prosecutor Advocate Yuri Gangai labelled the video as incriminating.
After Zuma offered an apology during his testimony, Gangai asked him what exactly he was apologising for.
In reply, Zuma said that he is apologising for recording the video.
He maintains that he had no idea how other people interpreted his video.
Under cross examination, Zuma maintained that he never instructed anyone in his video to burn the mall down, nor is he aware of anyone who saw the video and then decided to set the mall alight.
During cross examination, Gangai rejected Zuma’s testimony that he was under the influence of alcohol when he made the video.
He pointed out that Zuma made no mention of this when he made a sworn statement to the police.
Gangai also got Zuma to admit that he is from Nkandla, where former president Jacob Zuma lives.
The 2021 unrest broke out shortly after the former president was imprisoned at Estcourt in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands to serve a 15 month sentence for contempt of the Constitutional Court following an order that he must testify in front of the Zondo Commission into State Capture.
The court is expected to hear closing arguments on Wednesday.
