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But Jacob Zuma will make that decision in review – sign: months of delays
Judge Raymond Zondo, chairman of the State Capture Investigation Commission, delivered a three-part, hour-long judicial beating of former President Jacob Zuma’s attempt to force the judge to recuse himself.
Wearing a surgical mask, Zuma, who appeared gaunt and tense before the Commission this week, listened attentively as the judge delivered his decision. Zondo had delayed his trial three times and finally did so on Thursday, November 19.
“The request for my disqualification is consequently dismissed,” he said as he demolished Zuma’s three-part disqualification suit.
In a personal relationship
Part 1 was that he and the judge are friends and therefore Zondo was in conflict in his entire role as chairman of the Commission. “There was no solid reason why Zuma only raised a personal relationship about three years later (he was appointed chairman of the Investigation Commission),” Zondo said. “If the plaintiff felt that way, he should have raised the matter with the Chief Justice (at the time of appointment). “Zuma argued that he had not done so for fear of being seen interfering in the election of the president.
“The view of interference is not solid,” Zondo said, adding that “if the president of the Supreme Court had given (Zuma, who was then president), the name of a judge facing corruption charges, he ( Zuma) would he shut up? ”
By having an ax to grind
Part 2 referred to Zuma’s opinion that the witnesses before the Commission had been “people with a desire to work”. The Commission has heard 257 witnesses and 35 of them have implicated Zuma. “There is no merit on this point,” Zondo said, adding that “the Commission was free to use any witnesses as long as in the end, the plaintiff (Zuma) had the freedom to appear before the Commission and discuss the evidence.” Zondo said that Zuma had several opportunities to come forward to give his version of events to the Commission, but he did not.
On bias
Part 3 deals with Zuma’s opinion that the judge had made comments that showed bias on his (Zondo’s) part. “I am satisfied that the applicant’s argument is unfounded. I have the right and the obligation to seek comments and ask questions, as the Commission must seek the truth about (the) matters it is investigating. The applicant seems to expect me to be very passive when witnesses show up, ”Zondo said.
Zuma’s attorney, Muzi Sikhakhane, said they would make the decision on the review and would also report Zondo to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) because “you will realize (maybe I didn’t say it enough) that you have become judge in a matter that involves you ”.
The judge made it clear that the commission would proceed after a tea break. However, Zuma left the commission during the recess without his attorney notifying the president.
The Commission proceedings have been postponed for two days. DM
12.25pm: This article was updated with the latest news.
