Former Transnet treasurer claims he has the right not to incriminate himself in Zondo Inquiry

JOHANNESBURG – Former Transnet treasurer Phetolo Ramosebudi will testify at the state’s capture commission of inquiry Thursday morning, but has already indicated that in some cases he will assert his right not to incriminate himself.

Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo initially said Ramosebudi did not comply with his instructions to provide the commission with a full affidavit.

But Ramosebudi’s attorney, attorney Dali Mpofu, said that while his client would answer some technical questions, he would assert his rights in other areas.

“President is quite correct, what really should have been indicated there, even at that stage, is that he is going to assert his right. But we humbly ask the President to approve such a breach on the understanding that a statement will be confirmed under oath and wherever it is vague, he really should have said that he will enforce his Section 35 rights, “said Mpofu.

Once the session began, Ramosebudi told the state capture commission that he did not personally know how much money from Gupta-linked regiments was paid by the South African Airport Company, but he knew that he was receiving payments.

Evidence Leader Matthew Chaskalson asked him about it: “So it’s not like you and Priscilla Mamelani were ever in the room with the Regiments, who said ‘Oh, are we charging a R13 million fee for this treatment?”

Zondo clarified: “You never had an argument with her on the basis of which you can say you knew or what you are saying is because she may have been involved in her appointment and she would know if they were entitled to that.”

To which Ramosebudi replied, “On the basis that she named them? We never had that discussion.”

LOOK: Procedures of the state capture commission

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