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Inside the London dinner rumour linking Jacob Zuma to Jeffrey Epstein
When newly released Epstein-related emails began circulating online, one claim landed with particular force in South Africa. It suggested that former president Jacob Zuma had shared an intimate dinner arranged by the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein during a 2010 visit to London.
The story moved fast on social media, feeding into long-running debates about power, secrecy, and who crossed paths with Epstein before the full extent of his crimes became public. But a closer look at verified records tells a more restrained story.
What Zuma was doing in London in March 2010
Zuma’s presence in the United Kingdom at the time is not in dispute. He undertook a three-day state visit from 3 to 5 March 2010 at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II. The visit followed formal diplomatic protocols and included official engagements tied to South Africa’s relationship with the UK.
The dinner mentioned in the leaked emails was allegedly scheduled for the evening of Friday, 5 March 2010, at the Ritz Hotel in London.
The email that sparked the controversy
An email attributed to Mark Lloyd, who described himself as a friend of Epstein, refers to arranging a small dinner for Zuma at the Ritz and suggests inviting a woman for added glamour. That single message quickly became the foundation for claims that Epstein himself had been present or that the dinner carried an intimate or improper character.
However, no verified document confirms that Epstein attended the dinner.
Why Epstein was unlikely to be there
This is where the timeline matters. Epstein began serving an 18-month jail sentence in June 2008 in Florida. He was released in July 2009 and placed under probation and house arrest conditions that remained in effect until August 2010.
In early March 2010, when the London dinner allegedly took place, Epstein was still subject to restrictions that made his presence in the UK highly unlikely. Subsequent emails show Lloyd asking Epstein where he was, which strongly suggests Epstein was not in London at the time.
What later emails actually describe
In a follow-up email sent a day after the dinner, Lloyd praised a model who attended and commented on Zuma’s demeanour, describing him as more impressive and measured than expected. Notably, Lloyd again queried Epstein about his whereabouts and travel restrictions.
The tone of the message reflects post-event commentary rather than confirmation of Epstein’s attendance.
Zuma Foundation responds
As speculation intensified, the Jacob Zuma Foundation moved quickly to reject any implication of wrongdoing. Spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi described the claims as a smear campaign and stated that Zuma had not been involved in any unlawful conduct connected to Epstein.
No evidence has emerged placing Epstein in the same room as Zuma during the London visit.
A wider net of powerful names
Zuma is far from the only high-profile figure referenced in the broader Epstein files. The documents also mention US President Donald Trump, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and British billionaire Richard Branson.
In Branson’s case, Virgin Group confirmed that any contact with Epstein was limited, historical, and linked to group or business settings. The company said due diligence uncovered serious allegations, after which ties were cut, and a proposed charity donation was declined.
Why this story resonated locally
In South Africa, the claim gained traction partly because of the country’s painful history with abuse of power and exploitation, particularly involving young women. Previous reporting has also highlighted how Epstein’s network extended into Southern Africa, making any local connection deeply unsettling for readers.
At the same time, there is growing public awareness about separating verified facts from implication by association. Many South Africans online have urged caution, noting that being named in leaked correspondence is not the same as confirmed involvement.
The bottom line
Based on verified timelines and available records, it is unlikely that Jacob Zuma had dinner with Jeffrey Epstein during the 2010 London visit. While a dinner involving Zuma did appear to take place, there is no evidence that Epstein attended or that the event involved unlawful conduct.
As more Epstein-related documents continue to surface, the Zuma episode serves as a reminder of how quickly incomplete information can harden into a narrative and why context still matters.
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Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: X (formerly known Twitter)/@BDliveSA
