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Several prominent civil society organizations on Sunday demanded that former President Jacob Zuma appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the state capture.
Led by Raymond Zondo, the Commission is scheduled to hear a request from Zuma on Monday for the Vice President of the Supreme Court to recuse himself.
The move has been widely criticized as one of Zuma’s infamous delay tactics.
Zuma has also been summoned to appear before the Commission.
Dismantle corrupt networks
However, in a strong communiqué, civil society organizations condemned “all attempts to frustrate and delegitimize” the work of the Commission.
“We believe that their findings and recommendations will be instrumental in dismantling the corrupt networks that have eroded our democracy over the past decade,” the group said.
Zuma’s tenure as head of state and the period associated with widespread state capture is often referred to as “the lost decade.”
Notable signatories to the statement include the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, the Joe Slovo Foundation, Right2Know, Section 27, and the South African Council of Churches.
The group also referred to the fact that the Zondo Commission has its roots in the former Public Protector, Attorney Thuli Madonsela Capture status report.
This report instructed Zuma to appoint “a commission of inquiry headed by a judge selected solely by the Chief Justice, who will provide a name to the president.”
“Today, we call on Zuma to appear before this very Commission and respect its mandate and integrity,” the organizations said.
“We are disturbed by the evasive attitude in recent weeks of selected witnesses who appeared before Judge Raymond Zondo. We urge the former president not to employ a similar strategy or delaying tactics. We believe that an innocent person will have no qualms about being frank, transparent and accountable to the public through the Commission ”.
Zondo’s ‘obsession’ with Zuma
The group said they found it “shocking” to develop a narrative that Zondo had an “obsession” with Zuma, as significant testimony at the Commission directly implicates Zuma.
“Zuma must respond with transparency to the litany of complaints that various witnesses have made. The public wants to know what role the president may or may not have played in assisting the business interests of the Gupta family. “
They added that clarity is needed whether the Gupta brothers instructed Zuma to appoint or remove ministers, as has been widely reported.
“We want to know the details behind the Russian nuclear deal and the role that Zuma may have played in the appointment and removal of senior managers in government departments or state companies.
“The ball must stop somewhere,” the organizations said.
“On November 16, we hope to see former President Zuma appear before the Commission. We don’t want to hear conspiracy theories. Instead, we hope he will trust the nation and tell us how and why things went so badly under his leadership. “
Zondo emits Zuma with summons
On Friday, the Commission said it had issued Zuma a subpoena to appear in person or on a video link.
According to the secretary of the Commission, Professor Itumeleng Mosala, attempts “by the Commission to obtain a clear statement on whether Mr. Zuma will comply with the summons have not been successful.”
Mr. Zuma’s attorneys informed the Commission that Mr. Zuma had not told them that he would challenge the subpoena, ”Mosala added.
“The Commission, however, made clear its position that it is obligated to comply with the subpoena and expects it to comply.”
Signatories of declarations
Active Citizen Movement
Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
Auwal Socioeconomic Research Institute
Citizens of Conscience Foundation
Alternative Center for Cooperatives and Policies
Corruption surveillance
Council for the Advancement of the Constitution of South Africa
Equality of education
Joe Slovo Foundation
Johannesburg against injustice
Legal Resource Center
Merebank Justice Network
NOAH CAN
Open secrets
Organization that undoes tax abuse
Movimiento Patriótico SA
Printing SA
Public Affairs Research Institute
Right2Know
Section 27
South African Council of Churches
South Africa’s Food Sovereignty Campaign
South African Tamil Federation
South Durban Community Environment Alliance
The Teddy Bear Foundation
Union of Muslim Student Associations
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