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This followed former President Jacob Zuma’s absence from the commission on Monday after he was scheduled to appear.
FILE: Former President Jacob Zuma at the state capture commission on July 17, 2019. Photo: Abigail Javier / EWN
JOHANNESBURG – The Jacob Zuma Foundation has harshly criticized the chairman of the State Capture Commission, Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo, saying his extraordinary press conference was designed to humiliate the former president.
In a powerful statement Wednesday, the foundation expressed disappointment at Zondo’s “obsession” with Zuma and accused him of being “harmful.”
This followed Zuma’s absence from the commission on Monday after he was scheduled to appear.
The vice president of the Supreme Court set the appearance of the former statesman in the commission from November 16 to 20 and warned that the dates were not in negotiation.
Zondo also said it would hear a subpoena request on October 9 even if Zuma’s attorneys do not confirm their attendance or do not appear at the hearing.
“His attacks on President Zuma and his legal representatives were absolutely unjustified and damaging,” the foundation’s statement said.
“His press conference was ill-advised and absolutely inappropriate for a person of his seniority in the judiciary.”
‘THE PRESIDENT LACKS COURAGE’
The foundation accused Zondo of “inconsistency and fear of the powerful,” citing that Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan did not appear before the commission in August.
“The president lacks courage in the face of open defiance from some people who have refused to appear before the commission. He has not called a press conference to respond to Minister Pravin Jamnandas Gordhan when he did not even submit an affidavit explaining his absence.
“This inconsistency and fear of the powerful is not expected of the man who occupies the second highest position in the judiciary.”
The foundation said it respected the judiciary, but reminded Zondo that “he himself is not above the law and that he must be consistent in his dealings with witnesses and those involved.”
“No witness, not even the most arrogant and petulant, has inspired the president to call a media briefing simply to punish them. No race, class or position in government should guarantee to any witness the docility of the president.
‘JEOPARDIZED OPPORTUNITY FOR COOPERATION’
The foundation asked the vice president of the Supreme Court to be consistent in dealing with witnesses and to be fair to Zuma “even if he has already found him guilty.”
By calling the press conference, the president has jeopardized a great opportunity for cooperation. We believe that there is no purpose in calling an implicated person who has already tried while refusing to call other witnesses simply because their testimony contradicts your writing or narrative that you seek to confirm.
“We call on the president of the Supreme Court to remind the president that he is not above the law and that he is responsible to the Constitution and not to those who seek to sell the theory of the capture of the State that only serves to punish certain people while protecting those who are by now powerful. “
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