An official African National Congress (ANC) meeting did not take place with chief prosecutor Shaun Abrahams, the party’s secretary general, Gwede Mantashe, said in response to a Sunday Times article.

"Shaun Abrahams has never met officials of the ANC anywhere," said Mantashe on Sunday.

The Sunday Times article reported that Abrahams had met with President Jacob Zuma and three cabinet ministers at Luthuli House – the party's headquarters – on Monday, October 10, a day before Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan was charged with fraud.

Mantashe said  that on Mondays, there was an official meeting of top ANC individuals "as a matter of routine".

"But before and after we meet, the officials meet other people.  That doesn't make it an ANC meeting," said the secretary-general.

Abrahams told the newspaper that he was invited by Justice Minister Michael Masuthu to attend a meeting that Monday about the current university protests. He asserted that he, Masuthu, as well as the state security minister David Mahlobo, social development minister Bathabile Dlamini, and President Jacob Zuma attended the gathering.

Bongani Ngqulunga, Zuma's spokesperson also confirmed that the meeting took place but said the president was not responsible for inviting Abrahams.

Both Ngqulunga and Abrahams' spokesperson Luvuyo Mfaku adamantly denied to the Sunday Times that imminent charges against Gordhan were discussed at the time.