This paper presents the results of optical and photoemission experiments performed on zinc blende-MnTe (ZB-MnTe) layers grown on CdTe (100) surface. The spectral dependence of the reflectivity coefficient was measured at room temperature for the photon energy range 1.5 less than or equal to hv less than or equal to eV. The results were compared with the known optical parameters of bulk Cd1-xMnxTe as well as with the adsorption coefficient spectra of ZB-MnTe. Resonant photoemission spectroscopy was used to reveal the Mn3d-derived contribution to the valence band density of states distribution. In particular, the localized e-type states manifest themselves clearly as a pronounced maximum centred at about 3.5 eV below the valence band edge. The results correspond well to those obtained for Cd1-xMnxTe.