Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela believed Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas was prejudiced by the “conduct of President Jacob Zuma” after investigating state capture claims.

She said Jonas would be regarded as a “liar and publicly humiliated” unless he was vindicated in his claims that Ajay Gupta offered him the position of finance minister with Zuma’s knowledge.

Zuma denied such an offer.

Madonsela said the citizens of the country, who Jonas took into his confidence, would lose faith in an open, democratic, and accountable government if Zuma’s denials were proven to be false.

This was one of her observations in her long-awaited report on “state capture”, released on Wednesday following a court order.

She interviewed Jonas after he said the Gupta family had offered him then finance minister Nhlanhla Nene’s job, which he declined.

He told Madonsela the family offered him R600 000 in cash during a meeting at their Saxonwold, Johannesburg, residence.

The Treasury was seen as a “stumbling block” to the Guptas’ business ambitions and the family asked Jonas to sack its director general.

Jonas was informed the Guptas would make him finance minister.

“Jonas reported that he was shocked and irritated by the statement. He declined the position and informed Mr Ajay Gupta that only the President of the Republic can make such decisions.”

The meeting was attended by controversial businessman Fana Hlongwane and Zuma’s son Duduzane Zuma.

One of the things Madonsela had to consider was whether any state functionary or other person acted unlawfully, improperly or corruptly in connection with the exchange of gifts involving Gupta-linked companies or persons.

Under her observations on that point, she said: “This issue will be attended to further in the next phase of the investigation.”