"One has to outline a few things on what the bitter, white old man is saying. Max, you are such a hypocrite and liar that you have begun to believe yourself with the lies you seek to feed South Africans and the world," Zuma wrote in the statement sent to News24 on Wednesday.

It was a response to Du Preez's latest News24 column, in which he wrote: "Zuma’s children and other clan members became very rich very quickly because of their and their father’s ties with the Guptas."

Zuma denied claims that he had a business relationship with the Guptas and described himself as a "self-made business person".

He said his father was not made by the media or what he called "Stellenbosch masters" who are "exploiting our people with the support of those that attend meetings in dark corners plotting to destabilise our country in the name of strengthening the economy".

Referring to Deputy Finance Minister, Mcebisi Jonas, he wrote: "No lies Jonas and crew, history will repeat itself sooner than you think."

This appeared to be a reference to Jonas’s allegation that the Gupta family had offered him the job of his then-senior Nhlanhla Nene.

Former ANC MP, Vytjie Mentor, also claimed the Guptas offered her a Cabinet job. Former Government Communication and Information System head, Themba Maseko, said Zuma had arranged a meeting for him to "help" the Gupta family.

On Sunday, Maseko said Zuma had played a key role in driving state business to the Gupta family.

Du Preez said he would respond to Zuma's statement later on Wednesday.

- News24.com