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By Sihle Mavuso 
8h ago
Durban – Though submitted at the last minute, former President Jacob Zuma has extensively explained why Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo should not chair the state capture commission while listening to his long-awaited, high-stakes testimony billed for Monday. .
In a 102-page affidavit, Zuma describes Zondo as a deeply unethical lawman who has grossly abused his authority since the commission began hearing evidence more than two years ago.
Zuma accuses Zondo of having an agenda against him to the point that he would channel some of the commission’s witnesses to implicate him at any cost, even if his (Zondo’s) impartiality is compromised.
It notes that two prominent witnesses were allegedly influenced by Zondo. One is the former Minister of Public Enterprises, Barbara Hogan, and the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula.
Zuma argues that he was not asking the judge to step aside because he fathers a loving son with the sister of Thobeka Mabida, one of his wives, but because of the public comments he has made about him and the way he conducts affairs. of the commission.
“The carefully selected witnesses had to give testimony to support the theory of the ‘state capture’ of the former public protector (Adv Thuli Madonsela) and adopted by the North Gauteng high court and the commission. From a plethora of his comments, it is clear that the president believes there was “state capture” or corruption. The selection of the witnesses seems to have been intended to confirm this version, ”Zuma said at the presentation.
He then lists nine people he believes the commission selected to come testify in order to defame him and confirm state capture.
“In this sense, the following witnesses were selected, excluding other members of the cabinet who could have expressed a contrary version: Pravin Gordhan (Minister of Public Companies), Mcebisi Jonas (former Deputy Minister of Finance), Nhlanhla Nene (former Minister of Finance ), Ngoako Ramathlodi (former Minister of Mineral Resources), Ms. Vytjie Mentor (former ANC MP), Trevor Manuel (former Minister of Finance), Ms. Barbara Hogan, Mr. Themba Maseko (former Head of Government Communication) and Fikile Mbalula ”, he claimed.
Furthermore, Zuma noted that the commission only chose witnesses who, in one way or another, have an ax to grind.
“It seems to me that what the commission did was identify, search and interview people who could implicate me in a crime. It is also clear that the callers were politically hostile to me or had some other complaint or grievance against me. The first act of partiality, therefore, is the identification of the commission’s witnesses …
“He’s only looked for versions of those who have unsolved problems with me. More recently, he has become a kind of agent for law enforcement and judicial authorities, ”Zuma said.
At some point in the thick affidavit, Zuma also notes that the commission ignored its own evidence when it made its first appearance in July of last year.
“It seems that the president did not pay attention to my testimony.”
In a statement released by the commission on Friday, it said that Zuma’s request that Zondo vacate the chair would be heard Monday morning. It was unclear if Zuma is required to attend that hearing or if only his attorneys would handle the matter.
Political Bureau
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