Zuma, a puppet of the Kremlin? Yes, says co-founder of Scorpions

Is there a threat of interference in South Africa's political processes by Russia?

Yes, according to a recent article penned by one of the co-founders of the now-disbanded Scorpions, and it's going to be made possible by former President and MK Party founder, Jacob Zuma.

André Pienaar is a venture capitalist, CEO, and founder of cybersecurity firm C5 Capital. He's also the man once accused by Zuma of being a CIA spy.

In his recent article for National Security News, Pienaar contends that Zuma is "commencing a new wave of his assault on South Africa as a constitutional democracy on behalf of his masters in the Kremlin."

"That information is highly accurate and Jacob Zuma has borne that out with his conduct. It's on the public record that he has endorsed President Putin as a man of peace, that he has endorsed Russia's invasion of Ukraine...."

André Pienaar, Chief Executive/Founder - C5 Capital

"The MK party endorses every aspect of the Kremlin's policy and repeats their propaganda lies word-for-word."

André Pienaar, Chief Executive/Founder - C5 Capital

But does Putin really care enough about South Africa to want to direct the origin and funding of a party which, other than in KwaZulu-Natal, probably isn't going to be impactful counters John Maytham?

According to Pienaar, this all forms part of Putin's "long game".

"Putin is a chess master and he certainly plays a long game. South Africa's importance has increased enormously for Putin in the last few years."

André Pienaar, Chief Executive/Founder - C5 Capital

Africa matters to Putin, says Pienaar, and the Kremlin is trying to assert its influence across the continent.

Speaking to BizNews, Pienaar claims that's Zuma's allegation that he (Pienaar) was a CIA spy "placed a marker on me and my family as a form of intimidation."

Click the audio link above to listen to the full interview.