Jacob Zuma says an anonymous caller threatened to kill him and his children after the first day of questioning at a corruption inquiry.

Appearing for the second day at the commision of inquiry into state capture, Zuma said his personal assistant received a phone call late on Monday from an unknown caller threatening to kill Zuma and his children.

Zuma, ousted by the governing African National Congress (ANC) in February 2018 and replaced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, has consistently denied wrongdoing over his nine years in power.

Presiding Judge Ray Zondo said any threats of violence and intimidation are “totally unacceptable”, adding that witnesses called before the commission of inquiry must be granted the utmost protection.

But Judge Zondo cast doubt on whether there was a level of protection available to former head of state that was higher than what he already receives: “What I don’t know is whether you don’t already have maximum protection. I don’t know if there’s anything beyond the protection you get.”

The inquiry is investigating allegations that the former president oversaw a web of corruption during his term in office.

The allegations against Mr Zuma focus on his relationship with the controversial Gupta family, which was accused of influencing cabinet appointments and winning lucrative state tenders through corruption.

He has also been accused of taking bribes from logistics firm Bosasa, run by the Watson family.

They all deny allegations of wrongdoing.