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- Zondo’s commission of inquiry has heard testimony from more than 250 witnesses.
- The investigation officially began operations on August 20, 2018.
- These are some of the most memorable moments of 2020.
The state’s capture investigation, chaired by Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo, continued to enthrall South Africans in 2020, with gripping testimony that often surprised and some appeared to frustrate Zondo himself.
From the fat pie analogy of former SAA board member Yakhe Kwinana to businessman Edwin Sodi’s admission that he made payments to the ANC and other government officials, the evidence before the commission this year was the subject of many conversations during dinner.
The investigation officially began in August 2018 and was expected to conclude in March 2021.
Vice President of the Supreme Court Raymond Zondo.
Gallo Images Veli Nhlapo, Gallo Images
However, Zondo announced during a virtual press conference on Monday, December 21, that the commission would ask the Superior Court for a three-month extension. He said the commission needed to make up for time lost during the national shutdown.
So far, the commission has heard evidence from 278 witnesses, he said.
Here are some of the highlights:
The departure of former president Jacob Zuma
When Zondo dismissed former President Jacob Zuma’s offer for his disqualification, Zuma, in an unprecedented move, dropped the investigation in defiance of a subpoena issued against him.
Zuma accused Zondo of bias and said they shared a “close relationship,” claims Zondo denied multiple times.
In issuing his ruling on Zuma’s recusal candidacy, the vice president of the Supreme Court said there was no solid reason why the former president raised friendship issues more than two years after he was chosen to preside over the investigation.
After the Zuma strike, Zondo requested that a criminal complaint be filed against the former president.
Former President Jacob Zuma and his lawyer, lawyer Muzi Sikhakhane in the state capture commission.
Sharon Seretlo, Gallo Images
He also approached the Constitutional Court to ask it to force Zuma to appear in January and February of next year.
Zuma does not object to the matter. The case is expected to be heard virtually on December 29.
Pravin Gordhan vs. Tom Moyane
On November 30, Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan appeared before Zondo for questioning by lawyer Dali Mpofu on behalf of former South African Tax Service (SARS) commissioner Tom Moyane.
Gordhan last appeared before the commission in 2018 when he testified about his time as finance minister.
Moyane was the head of SARS at the time. The two were known to disagree, News24 reported.
The Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, questioned the Zondo commission. (Papi Morake, Gallo Images)
But Gordhan believed the hostility stemmed from Moyane’s role in trying to remove him as finance minister.
However, Mpofu said that Moyane believed that Gordhan was hostile due to general arrogance, petty jealousy, racism, a desire to deviate from his own commitment to corruption and capture of the state and Moyane blew the so-called “dishonest unity” of SARS.
Former SAA board member His Kwinana
Who could forget the testimony of Yakhe Kwinana, former SAA board member and former SAA technical board chairman?
On one of the days when he appeared before Zondo, he most of the time would go around in circles and have memory lapses here and there, as reported by Fin24.
When asked about canceling a catering tender in favor of SAA Air Chefs, Kwinana used the analogy of her daughter selling fat cakes:
If my daughter is selling fat cakes here at home, why would I buy fat cakes next door?
He made it trending on social media.
Earlier witnesses for the commission implicated Kwinana in alleged acts of corruption and “creating an atmosphere of intimidation for those who tried to resist.”
READ | Zondo: the state capture commission will ask the Superior Court for another extension
The commission also heard that eight clients trusted Kwinana to invest in forex without a license.
You also heard that you received bribes from the American company AAR, which participated in a joint venture with local BEE company JM Aviation, in exchange for a tender worth approximately R1.3 billion in March 2016 to provide components to SAA Technical. .
Yakhe Kwinana, former president of SAA Technical and former SAA board member, testified before the Zondo commission. Image: Gallo Images
But Kwinana denied any wrongdoing, including the claim that he went to the US to meet with AAR representatives while the company was still bidding.
She said: “The only time the board knows that a bid is taking place is in the final approval. So if there was a bid while I was in Chicago, I wouldn’t know if it hadn’t been presented to the board. There are so many bids. SAA that does not [keep track]. “
Zondo asked her if she was serious by saying that, in her opinion, there was nothing wrong with her, as a board member who made decisions about the bids for which AAR was bidding, she went on a trip and allowed them to “eat and drink. drink “in the United States.
She objected to the phrase “wine and dinner,” saying it implied that she couldn’t buy her own food and drink.
She claimed the trip was due diligence.
Businessman Edwin Sodi Defends Payments To ANC And Others
Edwin Sodi, who was involved in an alleged asbestos looting scheme in the Free State, admitted to the commission that he made payments to the ANC and other government officials.
But he defended the payments, saying there was nothing criminal about supporting the elected party.
The payments were made while Sodi’s company benefited from government tenders.
Blackhead Director Edwin Sodi. (Photo by Gallo Images / Luba Lesolle)
Gallo images
Officials mentioned included Deputy Minister of State Security Zizi Kodwa, Deputy Minister of Communications Pinky Kekana and Minister of Labor Thulas Nxesi.
Sodi said he does not view the payments as “strange, fraudulent or corrupt.”
READ HERE | Ramaphosa commits ANC, and by default Zuma, to cooperate with Zondo
Sodi was also asked about a payment of 6.5 million rand which was referred to as “Zweli Mkhize”. He said that Mkhize was the ANC general treasurer at the time and that the money was specifically for the party.
Sodi also made a payment of R371 553 to Paul Mashatile, saying the payment was made “directly to the ANC.”
Dudu Myeni reveals the identity of a protected witness
The commission opened a criminal case against former SAA president Dudu Myeni after she revealed the name of a secret witness during her testimony.
Zondo said Myeni should be investigated for non-compliance with the Commissions Law and regulations.
In her testimony, Myeni named a witness known only as “Mr. X” who implicated her in her testimony.
Dudu Myeni testifies before the Zondo commission through Zoom. (Lubabalo Lesolle, Gallo Images)
The commission’s evidence leader, Kate Hofmeyr, said at the time that Myeni knew why X’s identity was a secret and that revealing her identity was a deliberate obstruction of the commission and its processes.
He also exercised his right to remain silent in response to most of the questions asked.
– Compiled by Jeanette Chabalala
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