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Former President Jacob Zuma and Ace Magashule during an ANC gala dinner on January 10, 2014 in Mbombela. (Photo by Gallo Images / City Press / Elizabeth Sejake)
- Ace Magashule says that Jacob Zuma will decide with his legal team if he attends the Zondo commission.
- The top six of the ANC met with Zuma to discuss his decision not to comply with the commission.
- Zuma maintained that he is the victim of unjust persecution and prejudice.
In a meeting with the ANC’s top six on Monday, former President Jacob Zuma maintained his challenge to the Zondo Commission of Inquiry.
Zuma refused to capitulate to pleas to appear before the commission.
The party’s general secretary, Ace Magashule, said the seven-hour virtual meeting resolved that Zuma would decide whether to appear before the commission after consulting with his lawyers.
“The first six agreed to give him space to continue consulting with his lawyers on whether he should appear before the judicial commission of inquiry … we left that matter because he will continue to consult his lawyers.”
Zuma had violated a constitutional court order, which ruled that he must appear and answer questions before the commission.
“Comrade Zuma gave a very extensive presentation on what prompted his decision not to appear before the Zondo commission … he also spoke about his rights as a South African,” Magashule said.
The meeting was held practically “after logistical failures”, and Magashule insisted that it was “very good” and “very constructive”.
Former President Zuma did not meet the Constitutional Court’s deadline to file a response to the request for contempt of the state’s capture investigation that could face him in jail, a strong indication that he will not oppose the landmark case. | @karynmaughan https://t.co/Wt9BXHQXZN
– News24 (@ News24) March 8, 2021
Magashule said Zuma believed she had the right to have her rights, enshrined in the Constitution, protected.
“Comrade Zuma told the first six that he has been subjected to unfair persecution and prosecution for two decades. He stressed that he respects the Constitution and has basic rights,” he said.
The former president has maintained that the president of the commission, the vice president of the Supreme Court Raymond Zondo, was predisposed against him. The judge had had a child with his ex-wife’s sister, Tobeka.
Zuma is now accused of repeatedly defying an investigative subpoena, withdrawing from the commission on November 19, and making false accusations of corruption against the judiciary.
The commission seeks a two-year prison sentence for Zuma in the Constitutional Court for his refusal to appear before it.
Magashule said Zuma has not refused to appear before the commission, but “has problems, not with the commission, but with the judge.”
The secretary general, who is a loyal ally of Zuma, said there was nothing wrong with disagreeing with the judges.
Magashule would not emphatically say whether the ANC’s top six instructed Zuma to appear before the Zondo commission.
He noted that there were “divergent opinions” at the meeting, but insisted it was “one of the best meetings.”
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