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By Sifiso Mahlangu, Sihle Mavuso 
7h ago
Johannesburg – Independent Media has reliably learned that former President Jacob Zuma, through his lawyers, will intercept the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the state capture allegations on Thursday.
Zuma demands that the chairman of the commission, Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo, abstain from presiding over the commission when he returns to the investigation on November 16.
According to sources within the “Zuma camp,” Judge Zondo’s press conference to demand that Zuma appear at the commission connected a live wire with the former president. According to sources, Zuma is determined not to testify if Zondo has not recused himself.
Zuma’s move is the first in the two-year investigation.
Just last week, four public statements were issued condemning Zondo for summoning Zuma to appear before the commission.
The first volley was launched by President Zuma’s support group of Gauteng RET, who claimed that Judge Zondo had never before seen fit to address witness arrangements through press conferences, but deemed it appropriate to “target Zuma to such a special and disrespectful treatment. “
Supporters alleged that while Judge Zondo decided to humiliate Zuma and his lawyers by calling a press conference, he has never done the same with Public Business Minister Pravin Gordhan, who has a prominent appearance before the investigation.
“Obviously the commission has specific people to target and the appearance of witnesses before the commission are not moments of equal opportunity.
“It is clear that the main target that the commission and its president have in their sights, and are literally hunting, is President Zuma,” said supporters.
While things between Judge Zondo and Zuma are at their most tense, EFF attorneys have written to the commission asking it to give Gordhan the same treatment as he missed an appointment he negotiated.
“We understand that the commission has provided Mr. Zuma with non-negotiable dates for his attendance, as well as a hearing to have a summons issued against him for his attendance. We humbly request that the commission deal with Mr. Gordhan in the same way as with Mr. Zuma and we insist on the dates of his attendance and a hearing so that a summons be issued for his attendance as soon as possible, ”the EFF attorneys asked. . .
Since then, Judge Zondo has not granted former SA Revenue Service Commissioner Tom Moyane permission to question Gordhan.
Adding his voice, the Jacob Zuma Foundation has accused him of using Zuma as a ladder to take over as Chief Justice when it becomes vacant next year. Furthermore, they said that the “attacks on Zuma were unjustified and damaging.”
“We respect the judiciary, but we remind the president that he himself is not above the law and that he must be consistent in the way he treats witnesses and those involved. No witness, not even the most arrogant and petulant, has inspired the president to call a briefing with the media simply to punish them, ”the foundation said.
The foundation has declined to comment on the now very clear battle between Judge Zondo and Zuma, saying that Zuma’s attorneys will respond better.
The commission’s spokesman, the Rev. Mbuyiselo Stemela, said Judge Zondo was not going to respond to the allegations. “The DCJ (Vice President of the Supreme Court) does not intend to respond or comment on the statements,” Stemela said yesterday.
Gordhan’s spokesman, Sam Mkokeli, did not respond to questions about when Gordhan could return to the commission.
Political Bureau
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