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By Baldwin Ndaba 
1 hour ago
Johannesburg – Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo ordered Professor Itumeleng Mosala, secretary of the State Capture Investigation Commission, to initiate criminal action against former President Jacob Zuma for failing to comply and testify before the commission on Thursday.
Zondo made the decision on Monday after Zuma and his legal counsel decided to leave the hearing without obtaining Zondo’s permission.
Zuma walked out of the hearing after Zondo dismissed his request for recusal, saying the former president failed the reasonable apprehension of bias test against him.
Zuma left the building and never returned after the tea break, a decision that upset Zondo.
“It was not his place to apologize. Your conduct can send a message to all other witnesses, who may not feel comfortable testifying before the commission, to think that it is the right thing to do to excuse themselves. They can come and go as they please. This commission will not be able to operate, ”Zondo said Monday.
He said Zuma’s conduct is likely to have a negative impact on the integrity of the commission, the rule of law and public accountability.
“He had an obligation to account for events during his presidency. The rule of law and public responsibility are core values of our constitution. The constitution establishes that we are all equal before the law ”, insisted Judge Zondo.
He ordered Mosala to open a criminal case against Zuma and to also provide the National Prosecutor’s Office (NPA) with all the materials and footage of the events before Zuma snubbed the commission.
Zondo said it will issue new dates for Zuma to appear before the commission. He said Mosala will also be serving Zuma with new citations. Zondo has also asked Mosala to file an urgent request with the Constitutional Court to force Zuma to answer all questions related to his alleged involvement in the state capture.
Political Bureau
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