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The vice president of the court, Raymond Zondo, chairs the commission of inquiry into the capture of the state. Image: Felix Dlangamandla / Netwek24 / Gallo Images
NEWS
Former President Jacob Zuma’s cat-and-mouse games with the chairman of the state’s capture commission of inquiry, Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo, have taken another turn.
This time, the Zuma foundation, not in so many words, accused Zondo of conspiring with the renowned lawyer, lawyer Tembeka Ngcukaitobi.
The foundation said Friday that it was contesting Zondo’s dismissal of a request for disqualification by Zuma and questioned Ngcukaitobi’s presence in Zondo’s chambers during Thursday’s proceedings.
“We are also very concerned by reports that when Zuma’s legal team went to see the president in the chambers, they found the president of Ngcukaitobi SC, whose role in the president’s chambers was not explained. It is worrying that the president allowed such irregularities to occur in this matter, ”the statement read.
The foundation also accused Zondo of obtaining legal advice from Ngcukaitobi, saying this was irregular given that the defender also represented other witnesses who have appeared before the commission.
Read: Zondo dismisses Zuma’s request for recusal and may force him to testify
As a result, the foundation has asked Zuma supporters to unite and oppose this “injustice.”
“We call on all supporters of Zuma as he faces criminal proceedings hatched by the leaders of the evidence, and the president irregularly assisted by Ngcukaitobi SC,” the statement read.
Attorney Tembeka Ngcukaitobi. Image: Morapedi Mashashe
On Thursday, Zuma and his legal team left the commission without permission after Zondo dismissed the former president’s request to withdraw from the commission.
The foundation also criticized Zondo for refusing to recuse himself, saying he had made numerous legal mistakes.
“The JG Zuma Foundation expresses its disappointment that the chairman of the Zondo commission missed the opportunity offered to him by Zuma’s attorney during oral presentations on November 16.
“Equally disturbing is the fact that the president did not realize that as soon as his unusual statement was contradicted, he could not be the arbiter of his own dispute.”
Zuma says he would rather face jail than be intimidated by an irregular, manipulated and illegal process.
Zuma Foundation
Both Zuma’s legal team and the foundation essentially accused Zondo of being a witness and judge in a matter involving him.
Attorney Muzi Sikhakhane, the lead attorney, has already indicated that Zuma would approach the Judicial Services Commission to file a complaint against Zondo.
The foundation said it supports Zuma’s stance to leave the commission despite a subpoena issued by Zondo forcing him to attend proceedings until Friday.
“We support Zuma and congratulate him on his strong stand to walk away from the commission. In fact, it is a comedy of errors, reeling from one error to another.
“We congratulate President Zuma for risking everything so as not to legitimize an irregular process disguised as a legitimate commission.”
Read: Zuma’s request for disqualification ‘is unfounded’: commission secretary
The foundation added that Zuma and his team had taken “a courageous stance because they were not prepared to be harassed and chosen to end their participation regardless of the risk of contempt proceedings.”
“Zuma assures us that he would rather face jail than be intimidated by an irregular, manipulated and illegal process,” the statement read.
The foundation also echoed Zuma’s claims that political forces were pulling the strings and Zondo was a pawn in a broader political game.
“We hope the president is aware that those who pull the strings behind the scenes do not have his interests at heart and will leave as quickly as they chose.”
Zondo was appointed by Zuma to chair the commission.
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