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Earlier this month, the former president was summoned to appear before the commission in 2021 after he abandoned the proceedings without permission from the president in November.
Former President Jacob Zuma at the state capture investigation in Johannesburg on November 17, 2020. Image: Abigail Javier / EWN
JOHANNESBURG – Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo said Monday that the state capture commission needed to hear from Jacob Zuma on the state capture and corruption allegations because he was the country’s president when the crimes occurred.
“When it comes to Mr. Zuma, to a large extent, he has indicated that he is not interested in being heard because he does not believe that there are any witnesses that have implicated him,” Zondo said at a press conference on the work of the commission.
“When it comes to the right to be heard, it’s okay if he takes that attitude. But the reason we need you is more important because the commission needs to ask you questions that arise from the evidence provided by various witnesses. If we had no questions for him and he didn’t want to be heard, we may have left him alone, ”he added.
ALSO READ: No date has been set yet, as Zondo confirms Ramaphosa will testify in state’s capture investigation
Earlier this month, Zuma was summoned to appear before the commission next year after he abandoned the proceedings without permission from the president in November.
The commission set the dates of January 18-22 and February 15-19 to hear the evidence of the former statesman. The Constitutional Court is also expected to hear the commission’s request to force Zuma to appear before the investigation on December 29.
Zondo said that the witnesses who appeared before him had presented evidence that raised certain questions, and the commission wanted to pose those questions to Zuma.
“That’s quite important because he was president of the country most of the time when many of the things that the commission is investigating are alleged to have happened,” Zondo said.
“There are witnesses who say that he played a role in certain matters. Now, it may be that if he actually played the roles that those witnesses said he did; it may be said that he abused his powers as president. But it is important that he is questioned on those matters before it can be determined whether or not he abused his powers as president, or did not abuse his powers as president. “
The vice president of the Supreme Court also said that Zuma was mentioned in the commission’s terms of reference.
“You will also remember that when you look at the commission’s terms of reference, he is one of the people specifically mentioned as persons whose conduct this commission should investigate. There are several references to him and the Guptas. That is why it is very important, because of the position he occupies, because of the allegations that he played certain roles in certain matters, ”he said.
READ: Zondo commission to request another extension
WATCH: ‘Zuma left’ – Zondo dismisses the offer of recusal, Zuma’s intention to appeal and leave
Zondo also announced that the commission will go to the Superior Court to request another extension. He said the investigation lost about three months during the shutdown and that time should be covered.
He said that President Cyril Ramaphosa would appear and testify in committee when proceedings resume next year. However, a date for the resident’s appearance has not yet been set.
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