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Former President Jacob Zuma and his lawyer, lawyer Muzi Sikhakhane in the state capture commission.
Sharon Seretlo, Gallo Images
- Zuma “constitutionally bound” to account for his alleged breach of his constitutional obligations as president.
- Zuma must appear before DCJ Raymond Zondo from January 18-22 and February 15-19 and must answer questions “subject to the privilege of not self-incrimination.”
- Zuma “cannot be based on the right to remain silent.”
Former President Jacob Zuma has been summoned twice to appear before the state’s arrest investigation in January and February, and the commission’s attorneys want the Constitutional Court to order that he is “constitutionally obligated” to appear and “be accountable when testifying.” .
This afternoon’s investigation presented an urgent request for direct access to the country’s highest court, in which it also seeks an order that Zuma must respond to the accusations that “refer to his alleged failure as president and head of the national executive to comply with their constitutional obligations “. .
While Zuma’s attorney, Muzi Sikhakhane, has previously indicated that the former president would exercise his right to remain silent if forced to testify before Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo, the investigation wants the Constitutional Court to order Zuma ” it cannot be based on the right to remain silent. “
READ | Zondo files criminal charges against Jacob Zuma for flight from commission
Zuma may request to exercise the privilege against self-incrimination, but this will depend on whether Zondo is satisfied that he has filed a case to do so.
The investigation also wants the Constitutional Court to rule that the “conduct of Zuma to excuse himself and leave the seat of the commission hearing on November 19, 2020, without the permission of the president [Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo] it’s illegal “and violates the Commissions Law.
He left
Zuma dropped out of the investigation after Zondo denied his request to disqualify Zondo.
The investigation finds it withdrawn, which came after test leader Paul Pretorius warned Zuma’s legal team that he could only leave the commission with Zondo’s permission, as a display of criminal contempt.
READ | Zondo Commission: Zuma concerned over narrative that ‘ruined our country’
The investigation now wants the Constitutional Court to order Zuma to comply with two separate subpoenas issued against him to appear before Zondo: January 18-22 and February 15-19.
They also want Zuma to be ordered to remain present at the investigation these days, until Zondo excuses him.
Finally, he wants Zuma to “comply with the directives” issued against him by Zondo, as well as to provide the information that is formally requested of him in relation to Eskom and the Agencia de Ferrocarriles de Pasajeros de SA.
Zuma’s lawyers have not indicated whether they will oppose the Constitutional Court’s request for the investigation.
They also have yet to present the promised legal review of Zondo’s refusal to recuse himself.
This is a developing story.
