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The former president’s lawyer says he did not escape the State Capture investigation, but asked to be excused.
Jacob Zuma’s legal team says the former president did not illegally leave the commission Thursday morning.
“I do not agree (that they are breaking the law and that Zuma committed a crime). We ask to be excused, ”said Zuma’s investigating attorney, Eric Mabuza.
He said that Zuma could not stay to be part of the proceedings after the commission took a tea break, as attorney Muzi Sikhakhane had already told Judge Raymond Zondo that Zuma intended to review his recusal sentence. .
Zondo ruled Thursday that he would not recuse himself, saying Zuma’s team had failed to comply with legal requirements due to bias.
Zuma makes a runner after Zondo sets up a three-part court hit for disqualification offer
Moments after Zondo delivered his sentence, Sikhakhane said: “We will apologize right now.”
“The instruction is to review your decision when you finally give us a copy (of the judgment). Problems are not a common cause [meaning there is no agreement].
“We are going to complain to the JSC (the Judicial Services Commission) because you have become a witness and judge.”
The head of the commission’s legal team, Paul Pretorius, told Zondo that “it is not up to the applicant (Zuma) to simply apologize, it is his decision.”
Pretorius added: “Notwithstanding the review decision, the process must continue. If they excuse themselves from the proceedings, Zuma is acting in defiance of the subpoena and (acting) illegally; It is up to you, Chairman, to decide whether the proceedings continue or remain pending (the request for review). ”
The commission then took its customary tea break at 11 a.m. M. Zuma and his team left.
Returning from tea, Zondo looked dejected to discover that Zuma was gone.
“He is not coming back. It’s a shame he’s gone, ”Zondo said.
“The commission will reflect on the issues it needs to reflect on.”
Zuma was supposed to appear again tomorrow, but Zondo canceled the session on the grounds that the former president would not be there.
Meanwhile, Mabuza said his rejected request for disqualification would be taken for review in North Gauteng Superior Court.
Earlier in the week, Sikhakhane told Zondo that “Even if we lose, we will check you out. If they force me to bring him (Zuma) here without creating a climate of justice, I will put him there (in the witness seat) and he will exercise his right not to say anything. ” DM
