Paul Ekon replies to the Mail and Guardian: "I was not asked in advance of publication to respond to the comments and allegations contained in the article. In fact, I have never been requested or been able to reply to any article the M&G has written..."

1. Paul Ekon: Innocent and never been charged
June 21st 2010
Paul Ekon replies to the Mail and Guardian article published on May 28
2010, titled "Aurora: The Ekon connection".
I was not asked in advance of publication to respond to the comments and
allegations contained in the article. In fact, I have never been requested or been able
to reply to any article the M&G has written. As a result, the articles about me mostly
represent a material departure from the facts.
Despite my protestations, these misrepresentations were never corrected and the
article of May 28 again contains some of these unfounded allegations and
misrepresentations. I have now been afforded an opportunity to reply.
I deny that I am or ever was a "collaborator" with Aurora Empowerment Systems. I
have no knowledge about the bid or the subject matter of the bid or the assets that
were purchased. The only knowledge about Aurora's Malaysian backers pulling out
of the deal I have is what I have read in the M&G. I am not a shareholder, investor or
a director of Aurora. Why use such a negative word as collaborator except to
sensationalise?
I deny that I ever boasted to anyone about my friendship with the South African
president, Jacob Zuma, or how often we meet.
I had been living in London for almost two years before any articles were published
by M&G about me. Therefore I emphatically deny that my move to the United
Kingdom coincided with the M&G's article about a gold-smuggling syndicate. I visit
South Africa regularly, which I would not have done if the reason for my move to
London was to escape any criminal investigation or to avoid criminal charges against
me.
I have established that the gold and diamond branch of the SAPS investigated several
cases of gold-smuggling during the 1990s. Following their intense investigations,
which included several high-level delegations overseas, no evidence was ever found
on me and I was never questioned or charged. The investigating officer asserted
after our request that, if there was any evidence against me, they would have found
it.
The attorney general of the Transvaal at the time also confirmed in writing that I was
not even being investigated and there were no charges against me.

2. I deny unequivocally being involved in any such syndicate. I was never charged,
arrested or even questioned, yet the M&G represents my involvement as a fact and
continues to regurgitate these unfounded allegations. This sensationalist reporting
about me has continued for 14 years without any thought for me or my family. I have
been excluded from many deals and my family slandered without any charges being
brought against me for anything. My children are of school-going age and this is very
difficult for them to bear.
Sam Sole reports in his last article "no charges were ever proven". How could they be
if none was ever brought? This is beyond any case where one is innocent until proved
guilty. None of the cases I was allegedly involved with has been reported on for more
than 12 years yet I am constantly being associated with them without any factual
basis.
For more please visit: http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-06-21-innocent-and-never-
been-charged