Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been mentioned in the latest tranche of the Epstein files, after his name appeared in several emails from the late sex offender and others.

They concerned a dinner Epstein seemingly arranged for Zuma in London in 2010, which the emails suggest was also attended by a "beautiful" Russian model.

Being named among the Epstein files is not an indication of wrongdoing.

The Jacob Zuma Foundation has described stories about the emails as "agenda-driven journalism built on innuendo" and "guilt by association", adding that there was no "unlawful or improper conduct" by the former president.

The email chain about the dinner contained in the Epstein files is as follows.

An email from 4 March 2010, from someone arranging the dinner for a possible guest and copying in Epstein, says:

"I am a friend of Jeffrey Epstein, and I have been asked to help arrange a small dinner tomorrow night for President Jacob Zuma of South Africa at the Ritz Hotel at 7:00pm tomorrow evening.

"Jeffrey suggested that I invite you, as you would be certain to add some real glamour to the occasion. A friend of Jeffrey's is a friend of mine, so I have no hesitation in inviting you to join us.

"If you are not put off by the extremely short notice and would be able to accept, can you let me have a little more information about yourself as well as your full name (as I have to present the President with a summary of the guests in advance)."