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Former President Jacob Zuma
Thulie Dlamini, Gallo Images
- Lawyers for the state’s capture commission want to argue that former President Jacob Zuma be summoned to appear before Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo next week.
- Zuma’s attorneys say he is unavailable and have told the investigation to reschedule.
- The chairman of the commission, Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo, wants Zuma to answer questions later this month.
Former President Jacob Zuma will not appear before the state capture commission anytime soon, as his legal team clashed with the commission over Zuma’s appearance dates.
In letters seen by News24, the commission’s attorneys argue that Zuma is summoned to appear before Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo on September 9.
Zondo wants Zuma to answer questions by the end of this month.
But Zuma’s attorneys say he is unavailable on that date and have told the investigation to reschedule.
In a letter addressed to Zuma’s attorney, Eric Mabuza, the commission’s acting secretary, Bridgette Shabalala, said: “You are hereby notified that the request for an order from the commission chair authorizing the issuance of a subpoena for the appearance of Mr. Jacob Zuma before the Commission. [is in place]. “
Mabuza responded to the letter: “We regret to inform you that due to previous commitments our attorneys are not available on September 9, 2020. We trust that you will reschedule the application hearing to another date suitable for all parties. Rights are reserved.”
It is unclear whether the commission’s attorneys will choose to subpoena Zuma.
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Zuma appeared before the Zondo commission in July last year, where he made a series of unfounded accusations.
In January, the commission’s legal chief postponed a subpoena request after Zuma indicated that he was too ill to appear before the commission.
It was said that it wasn’t available until March, but then the Covid-19 pandemic took hold of the country.
The unfolding drama comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa last month published amended regulation 11 of the state capture commission that will allow law enforcement agencies to access the evidence presented in the commission.
The amendment establishes that, without prejudice to the provisions of this regulation, no employee of the commission, after his work has been completed, shall be prevented from being employed or appointed as a consultant by any law enforcement agency and after having been employee or designee. excluded from using or disclosing information, records or documents obtained by him or her during the course of his or her employment by the commission.
The amendment further notes that the regulation does not depart from the legal powers and duties of any law enforcement agency and commission.
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